WHO Awarded Malaria - Free Certification For China:
China has been certified malaria-free by WHO after nearly 70 years of effort — an incredible achievement for the United States, which reported 30 million cases of the disease annually in the 1940s.
Highlights:
♦ In more than three decades, China became the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to receive a malaria-free accreditation. Australia (1981), Singapore (1982), and Brunei Darussalam are some of the other international destinations in the area that have achieved this level of popularity (1987).
♦ The World Health Organization (WHO) has given malaria-free accreditation to 40 nations and territories around the world, including El Salvador (2021), Algeria (2019), Argentina (2019), Paraguay (2018), and Uzbekistan (2018). (2018).
Keys to success:
♦ China provides a free main public health care package to its citizens. As part of the package, everyone in China has equal access to low-cost malaria diagnosis and treatment, regardless of criminal record or economic background.
♦ Success also required effective multi-sector collaboration. In 2010, thirteen Chinese ministries joined forces to eradicate malaria across the country, including health, education, finance, research and development, public security, the army, police, trade, industry and data technology, customs, media, and tourism.
♦ The country`s malaria caseload has dropped in recent years as a result of strong adherence to the "1-3-7" plan timelines. The “1” denotes a one-day deadline for health facilities to file a malaria diagnosis; by the end of day 3, health officials must confirm a case and determine the risk of transmission; and, within seven days, appropriate actions must be done to prevent the disease from spreading further.