The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that two more countries, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, have successfully eliminated malaria from their territories. This remarkable achievement highlights the global efforts to eradicate this deadly disease and improve public health in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. The WHO’s declaration is a significant milestone for both Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, and stands as a testament to their extraordinary dedication and commitment towards preventing and controlling malaria. This article examines the steps taken by these two nations to achieve this remarkable feat and sheds light on the impact of their efforts on the global fight against malaria.
Malaria continues to be a global health problem with an estimated 600,000 deaths worldwide each year, but efforts to eliminate the disease have led to the certification of two more nations, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The official count of malaria-free territories and nations now stands at 42, as public health officials and governments unite in their fight against the disease. Both Azerbaijan and Tajikistan are former republics of the Soviet Union and have struggled with malaria outbreaks in the past due to their agricultural irrigation systems for cotton and rice cultivation, which provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Over the years, both countries have managed to significantly reduce cases of malaria through the implementation of various prevention and treatment programs. Insecticide and bed-net programs have been introduced for homes, and water management practices changed, in addition to the introduction of mosquito-eating fish to control insect larvae.
Moreover, the public health systems of both nations have made important contributions to malaria diagnosis and treatment. The WHO requires countries to show they have surveillance and response systems for detecting and dealing with transmission before it officially recognizes nations as malaria-free. Both Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have not had locally transmitted cases of malaria for at least three consecutive years.
“The people and governments of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have worked long and hard to eliminate malaria,” said WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press release. “Their accomplishment is further proof that, with the right resources and political commitment, eliminating malaria is possible. I hope that other countries can learn from their experience.”
However, the fight against malaria is not over. While the number of countries reaching the malaria-free milestone is increasing, the vast majority of cases and deaths still occur in the WHO’s African region, with 95 percent of the world’s 247 million malaria cases and 96 percent of the world’s 619,000 malaria deaths occurring in 2021. Nevertheless, bed nets, seasonal treatments and vaccination programs can all prevent the disease.
In conclusion, the certification of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan as malaria-free nations is a significant milestone in the global effort against malaria. The successful elimination of the disease in these countries serves as a reminder that with the right resources and political will, malaria can indeed be eradicated.
As we celebrate the remarkable achievement of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in eliminating malaria, it is important to remember that the fight against this deadly disease is far from over. Despite significant progress in recent years, malaria continues to claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. We must continue to invest in malaria prevention and treatment programs and work together to ensure that every person, regardless of where they live, has access to the tools and resources they need to stay healthy. Let Azerbaijan and Tajikistan serve as an inspiration and reminder of what can be achieved with sustained effort, dedication, and collaboration. Together, we can eliminate malaria once and for all.
