After the Maldives, Sri Lanka is the second country in WHO's South-East
Asia Region to eliminate malaria.
Sixty years ago, Sri Lanka was one of the most malaria affected countries.
And since October 2012, indigenous cases of malaria there have come down to zero.
So how did Sri Lanka, a tropical country, become malaria-free?
World Health Organisation(WHO) said that the island nation's success comes from a strategy shift it made in 1990s. The strategy: intensively target the parasite in addition to targeting the mosquito
"The change in strategy was unorthodox, but highly effective. Mobile malaria clinics in high transmission areas meant that prompt and effective treatment could reduce the parasite reservoir and the possibility of further transmission. Effective surveillance, community engagement and health education, meanwhile, enhanced the ability of authorities to respond, and mobilized popular support for the campaign," a WHO statement said.
Further, to maintain elimination and ensure the parasite is not reintroduced to the country, Sri Lanka's anti-malaria campaign is working closely with local authorities as well as international partners to keep up the surveillance and the response capacity, and to screen high-risk populations entering the country.
Sixty years ago, Sri Lanka was one of the most malaria affected countries.
And since October 2012, indigenous cases of malaria there have come down to zero.
So how did Sri Lanka, a tropical country, become malaria-free?
World Health Organisation(WHO) said that the island nation's success comes from a strategy shift it made in 1990s. The strategy: intensively target the parasite in addition to targeting the mosquito
"The change in strategy was unorthodox, but highly effective. Mobile malaria clinics in high transmission areas meant that prompt and effective treatment could reduce the parasite reservoir and the possibility of further transmission. Effective surveillance, community engagement and health education, meanwhile, enhanced the ability of authorities to respond, and mobilized popular support for the campaign," a WHO statement said.
Further, to maintain elimination and ensure the parasite is not reintroduced to the country, Sri Lanka's anti-malaria campaign is working closely with local authorities as well as international partners to keep up the surveillance and the response capacity, and to screen high-risk populations entering the country.
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