Belize Achieves Malaria-Free Certification: A Country’s Extraordinary Efforts in Disease Eradication
After more than 70 years of tireless efforts, Belize has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as free of malaria. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the people and government of Belize, as well as the collaborative efforts of global and local partners.
The Significance of Malaria-Free Certification
Malaria-free certification is an official recognition by the WHO of a country’s malaria-free status. It is granted when a country demonstrates, with rigorous and credible evidence, that the indigenous chain of transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquito control has been successfully interrupted for at least three consecutive years. Additionally, the country must have a well-functioning surveillance system capable of rapidly detecting and responding to any potential malaria cases, as well as an effective program to prevent the re-establishment of the disease.
With Belize’s certification, a total of 42 countries and 1 territory have received malaria-free certification from the WHO, including 11 countries in the Region of the Americas. This achievement is a testament to the progress being made in the fight against malaria and serves as an inspiration to other endemic countries.
The Journey to Eliminating Malaria in Belize
Belize has achieved a remarkable reduction in its malaria burden over the past three decades. From a peak of around 10,000 cases in 1994, the country has successfully reduced indigenous cases to zero in 2019. This incredible progress has been made possible through a combination of effective malaria surveillance, access to diagnosis and vector control methods, and the dedication of trained community health workers.
Effective Investments in Malaria Control
Belize’s success in eliminating malaria can be attributed to the effective investments made in malaria control strategies. Key interventions include:
- Strong malaria surveillance
- Access to diagnosis and treatment
- Vector control methods, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor insecticide spraying
Additionally, the role of trained community health workers in providing timely diagnosis and treatment cannot be overstated. Their dedication and efforts have played a vital role in the country’s achievement in eliminating malaria.
In 2015, Belize refocused its malaria program to prioritize improved surveillance among high-risk populations. This strategic targeting of interventions and available resources in priority areas has been instrumental in the continued success of Belize’s malaria control efforts. Even during the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Belize maintained its malaria surveillance efforts and integrated malaria and COVID-19 surveillance systems.
Collaboration at National, Regional, and Global Levels
Belize’s journey towards eliminating malaria has been the result of strong collaborations at various levels. A long-standing partnership between the national malaria program and the Belize Vector Ecology Center has ensured effective entomological surveillance, providing critical information on the distribution and density of malaria-carrying mosquitoes and their resistance to insecticides.
Furthermore, cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries, Mexico and Guatemala, has been key to Belize’s success. By working together, these countries have been able to exchange knowledge, share resources, and strengthen their collective efforts in eliminating malaria in the region.
Belize has also actively participated in regional and subregional initiatives, such as the Elimination of Malaria in Mesoamerica and the Island of Hispaniola. These initiatives, financially supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, have played a crucial role in keeping malaria at the forefront of Belize’s public health agenda.
With the support of organizations like USAID and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Belize has received necessary technical cooperation throughout its malaria campaign. This collaboration not only contributes to Belize’s success but also aligns with PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases, including malaria, in the Americas by 2030.
As a member of the “E-2025” initiative identified by the WHO, Belize is also actively working towards eliminating malaria by 2025. This ambitious goal reflects the country’s determination and dedication in ensuring the long-term sustainability of its malaria control efforts.
Expanding Perspectives: Pioneering the Path to a Malaria-Free Future
Belize’s journey towards malaria elimination offers valuable insights and lessons that can inspire other countries in their fight against this deadly disease. Here are some key perspectives to keep in mind:
1. Political Will and Commitment
Belize’s success in eliminating malaria can be attributed to the unwavering political will and commitment of the country’s government. By prioritizing malaria control efforts and allocating resources accordingly, Belize has demonstrated the crucial role of strong leadership in achieving tangible results.
2. Community Engagement and Empowerment
The involvement of community health workers in Belize’s malaria control efforts highlights the importance of community engagement and empowerment. These individuals not only provide crucial healthcare services but also play a significant role in raising awareness, promoting preventive measures, and ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. Their participation and dedication are key to sustaining the gains made in malaria elimination.
3. Integrated Approaches and Resilience
Belize’s ability to integrate malaria and COVID-19 surveillance systems during the pandemic underscores the importance of integrated approaches in public health. By building resilient systems that can adapt to emerging challenges, countries can maintain progress in disease control and prevention, even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
Summary
Belize has achieved an extraordinary milestone in public health by being certified malaria-free by the WHO. Through decades of concerted efforts, the country has successfully eliminated indigenous cases of malaria and created a roadmap for others to follow.
The success in Belize can be attributed to effective investments in malaria control, including strong surveillance, access to diagnosis and treatment, and vector control methods. Trained community health workers have also played a vital role in timely diagnosis and treatment.
Collaboration at national, regional, and global levels has been instrumental in Belize’s fight against malaria. Partnerships with organizations like PAHO, USAID, and neighboring countries have facilitated knowledge exchange and resource sharing.
Belize’s achievement serves as an inspiration not only to other countries in the Americas but also to the global community. It demonstrates that with the right tools, approach, and collaborative efforts, a malaria-free future is indeed achievable.
While celebrating Belize’s success, it is important for other countries to learn from its experiences and replicate effective strategies. By harnessing political will, engaging communities, and adopting integrated approaches, countries can pave the way towards a world free from the burden of malaria.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Belize as free of malaria, after more than 70 years of continuous efforts by the country to eradicate the disease.
“WHO congratulates the people and government of Belize and its network of global and local partners on this achievement,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Belize is another example of how, with the right tools and the right approach, we can dream of a malaria-free future.”
With today’s announcement, a total of 42 countries and 1 territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, including 11 countries in the Region of the Americas.
“After the achievement of Paraguay, Argentina and El Salvador, Belize today becomes the fourth country in the Americas and the second in Central America to be certified malaria-free in the last 5 years,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director. “This is an extraordinary achievement for Belize and will also serve as an inspiration to the other endemic countries of the Americas.”
Effective investments in malaria control
Over the past 3 decades, Belize has achieved a dramatic reduction in its malaria burden, from a peak of around 10,000 cases in 1994 to zero indigenous cases in 2019. Belize’s success has depended on strong malaria surveillance, access to diagnosis and vector control methods, including insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor insecticide spraying. Trained community health workers have played a vital role in timely diagnosis and treatment.
In 2015, Belize refocused its malaria program to focus more on improved surveillance among high-risk populations, allowing for strategic targeting of interventions and available resources in priority areas. Belize maintained malaria surveillance efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and made efforts to integrate malaria and COVID-19 surveillance systems.
Collaboration at national, regional and global levels
A long-standing partnership between the national malaria program and the Belize Vector Ecology Center ensured entomological surveillance, which provided critical information on the distribution and density of malaria-carrying mosquitoes and their resistance to insecticides used in control. from malaria. Cross-border collaboration with neighbors Mexico and Guatemala has also been key to success.
Belize has participated in regional and subregional initiatives to keep malaria at the forefront of its public health agenda, such as the Elimination of Malaria in Mesoamerica and the Island of Hispaniola, financially supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, the tuberculosis and malaria, and Regional Malaria Elimination Initiativean initiative established by the Inter-American Development Bank with the technical leadership of PAHO and the participation of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America.
With USAID support, PAHO has provided technical cooperation throughout Belize’s malaria campaign. This success in Belize contributes to PAHO Disease Elimination Initiative which aims to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases, including malaria, in the Americas by 2030. Belize is also a member of the “E-2025” initiative – a group of countries identified by the WHO as having the potential to eliminate malaria by 2025.
Belize is the third country to receive malaria-free status in 2023, after the certifications from Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in March.
Note to the editor
WHO malaria free certification
Certification of malaria elimination is official recognition by the WHO of a country’s malaria-free status. Certification is granted when a country has demonstrated, with rigorous and credible evidence, that the indigenous chain of transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquito control has been discontinued across the country for at least the last three consecutive years.
In addition, a national surveillance system capable of rapidly detecting and responding to any malaria case must be in place, along with an effective program to prevent re-establishment of the disease.
The final decision on granting malaria-free certification rests with the WHO Director-General, based on a recommendation from the independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification. For more information on the WHO malaria-free certification process, visit this link.
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