With the last case of indigenous malaria-related death being reported in 2008, Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne has said Sri Lanka has now emerged as an example of what is needed to eliminate malaria. Sri Lanka was declared Malaria-free in September this year.
Noting the opportunities and challenges in remaining malaria-free Minister Senaratne said that several key factors among many others such as the government commitment, the dedication of health workers, highly technical and professional approach combined with the extremely effective surveillance system paved the way to reach the objectives two years ahead of the target year with the last case of locally transmitted case of malaria reported in 2012.
The National Strategic Plan was developed to eliminate malaria expected to reach zero local transmission by 2014.
Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne while addressing the Ministerial Roundtable on Accelerating Elimination of Malaria in the South-East Asia Region on November 29 in New Delhi said Government’s partnership with locally operating NGOs was an important factor which contributed to the successful control of malaria in conflict-affected areas during the civil war.