After 70 years of dedicated effort, China has been awarded a malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) -- a notable feat for a country that reported 30 million cases of the disease annually in the 1940s.
"Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
"Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal." He added.
China is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to be awarded a malaria-free certification in more than three decades.
"Congratulations to China on eliminating malaria," said Dr Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office. "China's tireless effort to achieve this important milestone, demonstrates how strong political commitment and strengthening national health systems can result in eliminating a disease that once was a major public health problem. China's achievement takes us one step closer towards the vision of a malaria-free Western Pacific Region."
According to Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, over many decades China's ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria, as well as having a significant ripple effect globally.
"The Government and its people were always searching for new and innovative ways to accelerate the pace of progress towards elimination," said Alonso.
China provides a basic public health service package for its residents free of charge. As part of this package, all people in China have access to affordable services for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria, regardless of legal or financial status.
Effective multi-sector collaboration was also key to this success. In 2010, 13 ministries in China -- including those representing health, education, finance, research and science, development, public security, the army, police, commerce, industry and information technology, customs, media and tourism -- joined forces to end malaria nationwide.
In recent years, the country further reduced its malaria caseload through strict adherence to the timelines of the "1-3-7" strategy. The "1" signifies the one-day deadline for health facilities to report a malaria diagnosis; by the end of day 3, health authorities are required to confirm a case and determine the risk of spread; and, within 7 days, appropriate measures must be taken to prevent further spread of the disease.
In 2020, after reporting four consecutive years of zero indigenous cases, China applied for an official WHO certification of malaria elimination. Members of the independent Malaria Elimination Certification Panel travelled to China in May 2021, to verify the country's malaria-free status as well as its program to prevent re-establishment of the disease.
Source:WHO