The Minister of Health and Population of Egypt, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, recently held discussions with a delegation from the Global Malaria Program of the World Health Organization (WHO) to make necessary preparations for Egypt’s prospective international certification as a malaria-free country.
In February 2023, the Ministry of Health and Population had formally submitted a dossier to the WHO Director-General in Geneva, outlining the comprehensive efforts made by Egypt to combat malaria and providing detailed information regarding the verification of its malaria-free status.
During a field visit conducted from 22 to 29 June, the WHO team has confirmed the absence of local transmission of malaria within Egypt. All identified cases were determined to be imported from countries where the disease is endemic. Egypt’s robust surveillance system has played a critical role in early case detection, owing to collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
According to Daily News Website the Ministry of Health formed a working team from the preventive sector to accompany the WHO mission. They visited hospitals and health units in Cairo, Fayoum, and Aswan governorates to assess preventive measures and protocols. This concerted effort is aimed at preventing the re-emergence of malaria in the country.
The WHO mission conducted an assessment of the proficiency of medical personnel in identifying and managing imported cases of malaria. They conducted inspections of malaria unit laboratories to ensure accurate diagnosis and continual monitoring. Additionally, the team engaged with rural women leaders to raise awareness about community health.
The mission prioritized protocols for combating disease-transmitting mosquitoes and scrutinized environmental sanitation practices. They underscored the importance of promptly reporting any identified cases and implementing requisite epidemiological and entomological investigations for all contacts. Moreover, the mission involved Traveler’s Offices in the implementation of malaria prevention measures for individuals traveling to countries where the disease is endemic.
