The Global Fund congratulates Suriname for the elimination of malaria in the country
July 01, 2025
GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified malaria, the first country in the Amazon region to have eliminated the disease. This certification marks the interruption of the transmission of cases of indigenous malaria for at least three consecutive years. It is an important milestone in the fight against one of the most deadly diseases for humanity.
“It is an extraordinary accomplishment for Suriname – and a real glow of hope at a time when climate change and the growing precariousness of health financing threaten global progress against malaria,” said Peter Sands, executive director of the World Fund. It is now a question of protecting the achievements. We have to help overruny to keep this status won in high struggle and prevent the reintroduction of malaria. »»
In order for this success to be sustainable, the Global Fund will continue to support the response to the malaria of Suriname until 2027, with targeted investments in the following areas:
- prevention of the reintroduction of malaria;
- Strengthening integrated health systems;
- Implementation of perennial health financing mechanisms;
- Strengthening regional cooperation for the elimination of malaria.
The success of soup is the result of incessant efforts in terms of prevention, early detection and processing. Since 2005, the Global Fund has played a central role in expanding access to diagnostics, including microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests, especially for mobile and high -risk populations. The distribution of mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide and the deployment of community health officers and health officers in remote areas have also played a decisive role in the rupture of the chain of transmission.
Officials of the Malaria Fighting Program of Suriname collaborate actively with neighboring countries to manage cross -border threats and population movements likely to cause resurgence. Regional solidarity and data sharing remain essential for the sustainable elimination of malaria through borders.
“Malaria has proven repeatedly that it adapts quickly,” said Peter Sands. To keep one step ahead, you must constantly innovate – with mosquito nets, diagnostics, treatments and new generation vaccines – and set up systems to transport these innovations to people who need it most. »»
The fulfillment of souname highlights the extent of the health challenge represented by malaria on a global scale. Climate change promotes the expansion of the habitat of mosquitoes, and resistance to drugs and insecticides is growing. The Global Fund is determined to keep a step ahead of the disease, investing in advanced tools and robust systems that save lives and contribute to the eradication of the disease on a global scale.
With today’s announcement, 46 countries and a territory have now been declared free of malaria by WHO. And each of them managed to avoid the reintroduction of the disease.
In June 2024, the World Fund provided 65 % of the international financing of malaria control programs and had invested more than $ 19.1 billion in the fight against the disease. These efforts have borne fruit: in countries where the global fund is investing, deaths attributable to malaria decreased by 28 % between 2002 and 2022. Without these interventions, mortality of malaria would have increased by 90 % during the same period.
