Suriname latest country to be certified malaria-free

Suriname has become the first country in the Amazon region to receive malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Make that 46 countries and one territory that have been certified as malaria-free by the UN health agency.

Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.

Suriname became malaria-free after nearly seven decades of efforts to eliminate the disease across its vast rainforests and diverse communities.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the country's certification is "a powerful affirmation of the principle that everyone — regardless of nationality, background, or migration status — deserves universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment".

He said Suriname’s steadfast commitment to health equity serves as an inspiration to all countries striving for a malaria-free future.

“Suriname did what was needed to eliminate malaria — detecting and treating every case quickly, investigating to prevent spread, and engaging communities,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO’s regional office for the Americas.

“This certification reflects years of sustained effort, especially reaching remote areas. It means future generations can grow up free from this potentially deadly disease.”

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people die from mosquito-borne malaria around the world.

Suriname's health minister Dr Amar Ramadhin said eliminating malaria would have positive effects on his country's healthcare sector, boost the economy, and enhance tourism.

“At the same time, we recognize that maintaining this status requires ongoing vigilance," said the physician.

"We must continue to take the necessary measures to prevent the reintroduction of malaria. We are proud that our communities are now protected, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our beautiful Suriname — while remaining fully committed to safeguarding these hard-won gains.”

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes and it is mostly found in tropical countries.

The disease is preventable and curable. It can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines. Treatments can stop mild cases from getting worse.

WHO statistics show that globally in 2023, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597 000 malaria deaths in 83 countries.

The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.

In 2023, this region was home to 94% of malaria cases (246 million) and 95% (569 000) of malaria deaths, with children under five accounting for about 76% of all malaria deaths.

In Africa, only nine countries have WHO certification of malaria elimination: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Lesotho, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco and Seychelles and Tunisia.