By Sola Ogundipe
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Uzbekistan as malaria-free, confirming the end of the country’s half-century long battle for malaria elimination within its borders.
Uzbekistan becomes the second country in 2018 to be certified malaria-free – Paraguay was certified in June – marking another milestone on the road to ending the disease for good.
“Malaria No More commends the government of Uzbekistan for its resilience and determination to eliminate malaria once and for all. Uzbekistan’s decade-long commitment demonstrates the government’s recognition that malaria stood in the way of development, and that ridding the country of the disease was critical to improving economic outlook and protecting the health of its people,” said Martin Edlund, CEO of Malaria No More.
Uzbekistan first eliminated malaria in 1961, but struggled to maintain elimination as malaria cases continued to flow in from neighboring countries.
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