Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam, pledged to accompany the country in eliminating malaria.

On April 25, in Khanh Vinh District, the Ministry of Health and the World HealthOrganization (WHO) held a rally to commemorate World Malaria Day (April 25) with the theme "Pooling all efforts to eliminate malaria in Viet Nam". Attendees included Mr. Dinh Van Thieu - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mrs. Angela Pratt - WHO Representative in Viet Nam, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Health, Khanh Vinh District People's Committee, and other related departments and sectors.

According to the Ministry of Health, Viet Nam has reported around 450 malaria cases annually over the past three years. Forty-six provinces and cities have been recognized as malaria-free. Currently, malaria cases are mainly found in certain districts of specific provinces. Muong Te in Lai Chau province, a long-time malaria hotspot, averages about 100 cases per year. Khanh Vinh district in Khanh Hoa province saw a significant increase in 2023, recording 199 cases, which accounted for nearly half of the country's total. In the first three months of 2024 alone, 78 out of 115 cases nationwide were reported there. The rise in malaria cases is partly due to limited personal protection measures and insufficient investment in malaria prevention activities.

Rally in response to World Malaria Day in Khanh Vinh, Khanh Hoa province

The rally aims to raise awareness and encourage public participation in malaria prevention efforts. It also seeks to involve local authorities in controlling the rising malaria cases, with the goal of eliminating malaria in Khanh Hoa Province specifically and Viet Nam as a whole, aligning with the government's directive to eliminate malaria in the country by 2030.

To accelerate the elimination of malaria in Viet Nam, the proposed solutions are:

1. Develop a malaria elimination strategy tailored to the current phase, engaging the entire society and local budget investments to replace aid sources and ensure sustainability.

2. Enhance communication and policy advocacy efforts.

3. Maintain and enhance the professional staff network, the testing and disease surveillance system; proactively monitor and control vectors; conduct training and human resource development; maintain the surveillance and reporting system; apply information technology.

4. Continue conducting scientific research, epidemiological surveys, vector assessments, and drug resistance evaluations to provide scientific evidence for developing appropriate professional guidelines.

5. Prevent the re-establishment of malaria in localities where it has been eliminated.

The leaders showed strong commitment to malaria control

At the ceremony, Mr. Dinh Van Thieu, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, stated that the province will strengthen its leadership in malaria prevention efforts. He highlighted the importance of engaging local departments and agencies in carrying out malaria prevention activities, managing population movements, and promoting behavior change communication in areas with rising malaria cases, like Khanh Vinh District.

The province also calls for professional support from the Institutes of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, commits to closely cooperating with international organizations, and mobilizes all resources to prevent the increase in malaria cases, aiming to eliminate malaria in Khanh Hoa Province by 2030.

 Following the rally, a parade to raise awareness about malaria control took place in the town of Khanh Vinh District.

Parade to raise awareness about malaria control

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