Paraguay certified malaria-free at E-2020 global forum

11 June 2018

The second annual global forum of malaria-eliminating countries is underway in San José, Costa Rica. Running from 11–13 June, the global forum provides a platform for 21 malaria-eliminating countries of the WHO E-2020 initiative to share progress in working towards malaria elimination. Technical experts from the 21 countries are highlighting the elimination advances and challenges since the inaugural global forum in March 2017.

On Day 1 of the forum, Paraguay was officially certified free of malaria – the first among the E-2020 countries to attain elimination status. Dr Carlos Ignacio Morínigo, Minister of Health of Paraguay, accepted the certification on behalf of his government at a ceremony in honour of the country’s achievement.

More than 100 participants are in San José for this year’s meeting. This includes representatives from the eliminating countries, officials of WHO and the Pan American Health Organization, as well as observers from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UN Foundation, USAID and Comisca, among others.

Dr Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization

"This is a landmark occasion in the fight against malaria. Years of hard work have paid off. This achievement could not be realized without the political will of the leaders of Paraguay who took the bold decision to sustain the investments through successive governments. I hope this recognition becomes an inspiration for other countries in the Americas, and globally, in their quest to eliminate malaria."

Paraguay receives malaria elimination certification

Dr Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) presents the WHO certification of malaria elimination to Paraguay’s Minister of Health, Dr Carlos Ignacio Morínigo.

Dr Carlos Ignacio Morínigo, Minister of Health of Paraguay

"This certification is recognition of several decades of commitment, political will, and the engagement of highly qualified professionals and community workers. To PAHO, WHO, and the Global Fund: without your invaluable support, Paraguay’s elimination journey would not have been possible. Reaching this goal also implies that we must now face the challenge of maintaining it."

Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of WHO Global Malaria Programme

"Paraguay’s certification is a light of hope that shows malaria can be eliminated in all countries of the world."

Ms Annelise Hirschmann, Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria

"The Global Fund has been an important partner in Paraguay’s malaria elimination certification, but merit goes to the country, from the Ministry of Health down to the community health volunteers."

Second annual global forum of malaria-eliminating countries

Participants at the second annual global forum of malaria-eliminating countries in San José, Costa Rica, 11 June 2018.

Dr Giselle Amador Muñoz, Minister of Health, Costa Rica

"Malaria is an important public health issue for Costa Rica. The investment we are making to eliminate this disease is significant, but it is well worth the resources and energy. The Government of Costa Rica is committed to become malaria-free by 2020."

Dr Emma Iriarte, Salud Mesoamérica 2015 Initiative, Inter-American Development Bank

"2020 is around the corner. Countries need to urgently assess surveillance gaps in those areas where transmission of malaria is concentrated. Once a country achieves elimination, it must also have financial scenarios in place to keep its malaria-free status."

Samia Hammadi, medical officer of Algeria’s Ministry of Health, Population and Hospital Reform

Samia Hammadi shares her country’s experience in working towards elimination. With 3 consecutive years of zero indigenous malaria cases since 2014, Algeria kick-started the WHO certification process in 2017.

Tobgyel Drukpa, Deputy Chief Program Officer, Department of Public Health, Bhutan

In 2017, Bhutan reported 11 indigenous cases of malaria, keeping the country on track to achieve its 2020 elimination goal.

Second annual global forum of malaria-eliminating countries in San José, Costa Rica

Traditional Costa Rican dancers perform at a ceremony to commemorate Paraguay’s malaria-free certification.

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