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This summary draws from a feature on China Daily. The full article is available to here.
The Asia Pacific region continues to make remarkable strides toward malaria elimination, despite the challenges imposed by the COVID‑19 pandemic. Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) — Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam — were among the few globally to continue recording significant declines in malaria cases throughout the pandemic.
Notably, China’s malaria‑free certification in 2021 marked a major milestone for the region, demonstrating how strong political commitment and robust health systems can overcome long‑standing public health challenges. This determination is echoed across the GMS, where sustained political will, combined with the rapid adaptation of malaria programmes in response to evolving challenges during the pandemic, helped safeguard the subregion’s momentum toward elimination.
Yet, progress remains uneven across Asia Pacific. A recent APLMA report on the state of malaria elimination during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea still account for over 90 percent of malaria deaths in the region. Importantly, border malaria continues to be one of the major challenges that demand for regional and global collaboration - supported with subnational efforts and financing strategies. With less than a decade to reach the 2030 malaria elimination goal, the region must remain steadfast on efforts to close remaining gaps. There is no room for complacency, not now or ever, when 2.5 billion people in Asia Pacific remain at risk of malaria.
Note:
The Greater Mekong Subregion comprises Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
