In a significant public health milestone, Egypt has officially been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the successful elimination of all forms of human malaria parasites within the country’s borders. The announcement came during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population and Deputy Prime Minister, received the certification from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The recognition places Egypt among a select group of nations that have eradicated local malaria transmission — a distinction that underscores Egypt’s robust disease surveillance, rapid response systems, and its strategic focus on infectious disease prevention.
A Testament to National Commitment
The WHO certification is a culmination of decades-long efforts, supported at the highest levels of government. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar credited the success to strong political will and the backing of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, emphasizing Egypt’s long-term commitment to health security and sustainable development.
“This certification reflects Egypt’s unwavering dedication to protecting its citizens through proactive, science-based public health strategies,” Dr. Abdel Ghaffar said during the ceremony.
Years Without Local Cases
According to Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Egypt has not recorded a single locally transmitted case of malaria in many years, owing to advancements in vector control, early detection, and rapid response mechanisms. The country also maintains a comprehensive surveillance system to monitor and contain any imported cases, ensuring Egypt remains free of the disease.
“The absence of local malaria transmission is not by chance — it’s the result of strategic foresight, technical expertise, and integrated action,” Dr. Abdel Ghaffar noted.
Sustaining the Achievement
The certification serves as a powerful incentive to maintain and strengthen Egypt’s public health infrastructure. The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing preventive measures, including heightened vector surveillance, early case detection, and community awareness campaigns to safeguard this achievement.
The milestone aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development, in which health is a cornerstone of national progress. Officials say the success will bolster Egypt’s ability to address other vector-borne and infectious diseases with the same rigor.
Egypt’s model offers valuable insights into sustainable vector control, inter-agency collaboration, and community-level resilience.
