Celebrating Paraguay s Malaria-Free Achievement Update on Malaria- Eliminating Countries and the World Health Organization s E-2020 Initiative Messages and Social Media Toolkit
Highlights On June 11, Paraguay will become the first country in the Americas in 45 years to be certified malaria-free. According to a new report released on June 11, by the WHO, a diverse group of countries across the world are progressing toward malaria elimination by 2020, putting the world on track to mark a major global milestone in the global fight against malaria. Argentina, Algeria and Uzbekistan are working towards being certified over the next year. China and El Salvador reported zero indigenous cases in 2017, a first for both countries. A subset of 21 countries identified by the WHO as having the potential to eliminate by 2020 are off track, with malaria cases going up in those countries since 2015. New commitments are needed to get these countries back on track.
Key messages A new report by the World Health Organization highlights a potentially historic moment of progress in the malaria fight. Many countries are accelerating towards malaria elimination, putting the world on track to mark a major malaria milestone in 2020. On June 11, Paraguay will become the first country in the Americas in 45 years to be certified malaria-free. A new WHO report highlights a diverse group of countries that are on track to reach zero malaria cases by 2020. Of these, China and El Salvador reported zero cases for the first time in 2017. Belize, Costa Rica, Suriname, Iran, Bhutan, Timor-Leste and Malaysia reported less than 100 local cases. In addition, Argentina, Algeria and Uzbekistan are eligible to be certified later this year. The WHO report confirms that the world is on track to meet the ambitious goal of eliminating malaria from at least an additional 10 countries by 2020, an achievement that would mark a major global milestone in the malaria fight. A subset of countries identified by the WHO in 2016 with potential to eliminate by 2020 are off track. New commitments are needed to get all countries ready to be malaria-free by 2020. 4
Key messages Reaching malaria-free status is a critically important public health and sustainable development goal. Paraguay is leading the way, becoming the first country to be certified malaria-free in the Americas in 45 years. Paraguay s dedicated efforts deserve praise and serve as motivation for other countries to follow. Paraguay registered its last case of malaria in 2011. That same year, the country launched a five-year plan to consolidate the gains, prevent re-establishment of transmission and prepare for elimination certification. Activities focused on robust case management, community engagement, and education to increase awareness around malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment options. How Paraguay did it: o o o First, Paraguay s National Malaria Control Programme (SENEPA) focused on tracking the disease and preventing outbreaks, not just treating cases. Second, a network of committed health staff and community volunteers ensured no one was left behind in getting universal access to free primary health care, including access to life-saving tools that help prevent and treat malaria. Third, unwavering commitment and leadership at all levels kept Paraguay on course, despite challenges along the way. 4
Key messages Despite progress in eliminating countries, the global fight against malaria is at a crossroads. The 2017 World Malaria Report showed that after an unprecedented period of success, the pace of progress against malaria has stalled. In many countries, particularly those hardest-hit by the disease, declines in malaria cases and deaths have levelled off or started to reverse. Over the last two decades, tremendous progress in the fight against malaria drove down malaria cases and deaths, shrinking the malaria map and fueling optimism that the fight against malaria can be won. According to WHO s 2017 World Malaria Report, 44 countries the highest number ever have less than 10,000 malaria cases. However, progress in many high burden countries has stalled. For the first time in over a decade, the number of malaria cases worldwide is on the rise and the decline in deaths has flatlined. o In 2016, there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries, an increase of 5 million cases over 2015. o In 2016, there were 445,000 malaria deaths, as compared to 446,000 in 2015. A plateau in global funding for the malaria fight after 2010 contributed to a stall in progress against malaria. 5
Key messages Paraguay s success shows that progress is possible. Countries poised to get to zero cases by 2020 must seize the opportunity and be supported in their pursuit to bring the world closer to a malaria-free world. Challenges that eliminating countries face are not new. With the right level of urgency, bottlenecks can be tackled with added resources, resolve and political commitment to finish the job. Country-owned and led responses will be critical to countries continuing to make progress toward zero cases. The global community also must commit to helping those countries with potential to eliminate malaria by 2020 get back on track. Innovative financing like the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative in the Americas is bringing new funds to the malaria fight, ensuring malaria remains a top health and development priority, despite dwindling numbers of cases in 8 Central American countries. WHO recently provided eliminating countries with an updated set of tools, activities and strategies for interrupting transmission and preventing re-establishment of the disease. o Guiding the elimination and certification processes are the Malaria Elimination Oversight Committee and the Malaria Elimination Certification Panel, both independent global advisory bodies. 6
Twitter and Facebook Malaria elimination graphics and graphics for each country on-track to malaria elimination by 2020 is available here
Celebrating Paraguay ESPAÑOL Hoy @who @pahowho celebramos el logro de Paraguay de haber eliminado el paludismo. Hoy @who certificó a Paraguay libre de malaria. Esta es una oportunidad para llamar al compromiso y la inversión en la región para terminar con la malaria #FINmalaria El liderazgo de Belice, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, México y Suriname para la eliminación de la malaria pone a la región en el camino hacia un mundo libre de malaria. ENGLISH Today @WHO @PAHOWHO celebrate Paraguay s accomplishment of eliminating malaria! Today, @WHO certified Paraguay as malaria-free. Progress is possible we must continue to call for commitment and investment in the region of the Americas to #EndMalaria for good! The leadership of Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and Suriname toward malaria elimination puts the entire region of the Americas on the path towards a malaria free world! El compromiso y esfuerzos de todos los países de las Américas en la lucha contra la malaria es fundamental para alcanzar una región libre de malaria. The commitment and the efforts of all the countries of the Americas in the fight against malaria is fundamental to #endmalaria for good. #MalariaMustDie! 7
Celebrating Paraguay ESPAÑOL Es necesario que los gobiernos, los socios, el sector privado y la comunidad mantengan su compromiso y los recursos para terminar con la malaria. Seis países en las Américas están en camino de eliminar la malaria en 2020. Sin embargo, existe el riesgo del resurgimiento de la enfermedad. Es necesario mantener la lucha contra esta enfermedad y los recursos financieros. La integración de la vigilancia de la malaria, diagnóstico y el tratamiento en los servicios de salud ha sido un éxito para Paraguay. El país hoy sigue libre de malaria. ENGLISH It is necessary that governments, partners, private sector partners and the community maintain their commitments and the resources to #endmalaria. Paraguay has shown it s possible! Six countries in the Americas are on the path to eliminate malaria by 2020. However, the risk of resurgence of the disease still exists. It is necessary to maintain the economic resources and continue the fight against the disease Paraguay has shown it s possible! The integration of malaria surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment within the health services has helped Paraguay achieve elimination. Today, the country is free of malaria! 8
On the path to a malaria-free world Reaching malaria-free status is a critically important public health and sustainable development goal. The good news? Paraguay is now malaria-free, and 10 countries are on track to be malaria-free by 2020. Read more: bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria It gives me great pleasure today to certify that Paraguay is officially free of #malaria. Success stories like Paraguay s gives us hope that if malaria can be eliminate in one country, it can be eliminated in all countries - WHO @DrTedros https://youtu.be/n7rhcvwjqkw A malaria-free world is attainable. Paraguay is leading the way and another 10 countries across the globe are on track to eliminate malaria by 2020. bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria Great news on progress against malaria - Paraguay is 1st country in the Americas to become malaria-free in 45 years. Argentina, Algeria and Uzbekistan could be malaria-free soon with more countries to follow by 2020. Read more: bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria #MalariaMustDie 9
On the path to a malaria-free world Countries close to achieving zero malaria cases by 2020 must stay committed and be supported to bring the world closer to a malaria-free world. Countries highlighted in a new @WHO report need funding and commitment to #endmalaria. bit.ly/e2020report Countries on the road to zero malaria cases by 2020, an achievement that will free their citizens from the health and financial burden of the deadly disease. bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria Malaria elimination is attainable. Almost half the countries with malaria have less than 10,000 cases and 10 countries are poised to get to zero malaria cases by 2020. bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria #Paraguay is malaria-free. #Argentina, #Algeria and #Uzbekistan are nearing @WHO certification. #China and #El Salvador reported 0 cases for the first time in 2017. #endmalaria We are at the final push for 21 countries, with the possibility to eliminate malaria by 2020. It s time to push for elimination! bit.ly/e2020report #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria @WHO report cites 10 countries with the potential to eliminate malaria by 2020 are off track or slightly off track. New commitments are needed to get these countries back on target. bit.ly/e2020report #endmalaria. 10
Celebrating countries on track for elimination BELIZE BHUTAN Did you know #Belize achieved a 99% reduction in indigenous malaria cases from 2000 to 2017? Collaborating with Mexico and Guatemala to stop new cases from entering the country will help Belize eliminate malaria by 2020. #ReadyToBeatMalaria Amazing news: #Bhutan is on track to achieve its 2020 goal of eliminating #malaria and realize zero indigenous transmission of malaria in 2018! Greater global and domestic resource commitments will be key to Bhutan s elimination. #ReadyToBeatMalaria CHINA For the first time, #China reported 0 cases of indigenous malaria in 2017, down from nearly 5000 cases in 2010. #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria 11
Celebrating countries on track for elimination PARAGUAY Congratulations and Felicidades! #Paraguay has completed @WHO #malaria certification process and is today certified malaria-free! This is huge: Paraguay is the first country in the Americas to be granted this status in 45 years. #ReadyToBeatMalaria Paraguay is the first country in the Americas since 1973 to be certified malaria free! #ReadyToBeatMalaria #MalariaMustDie Paraguay just became the first country to #EndMalaria in the Americas in 45 years. We are #ReadyToBeatMalaria COSTA RICA ALGERIA IRAN #CostaRica made great progress decreasing its #malaria burden, but cases rose in 2016 & 2017. Supporting and training Costa Rica s health workers on detection and elimination could #EndMalaria by 2020. #ReadyToBeatMalaria After 3 consecutive years of 0 indigenous #malaria cases, #Algeria could soon be certified malaria-free by @WHO #ReadyToBeatMalaria #EndMalaria #Iran is on track to #EndMalaria by 2020. Collaboration with #Pakistan and greater domestic funding should get Iran to zero malaria cases soon #ReadyToBeatMalaria 12
Celebrating countries on track for elimination EL SALVADOR Did you know: Since 2000, #ElSalvador has been steadily reducing malaria cases and got to 0 indigenous cases in 2017, thanks to strong political commitment, resources and resolve. #ReadyToBeatMalaria #MalariaMustDie TIMOR-LESTE Timor-Leste s goal to #endmalaria is clear: bring indigenous #malaria transmission to zero & prevent re-establishment. Let s keep up political momentum for getting to zero 2020. #ReadyToBeatMalaria SURINAME #Malaria is nearly gone in #Suriname, which once had the highest transmission rates across the Americas. Suriname can share lessons learned in malaria elimination to strengthen efforts to #EndMalaria in Brazil, French Guiana & Guyana. MALAYSIA #Malaysia is well on its way to #endmalaria by 2020. @WHO report says rapidly diagnosing cases in remote areas with limited health services will be essential. #ReadyToBeatMalaria. 13
General malaria elimination graphics and graphics for each on-track country available here 9
Handles @pahowho @who @SenepaParaguay @globalfund @msaludpy @DrTedros @rollbackmalaria Hashtags #endmalaria #readytobeatmalaria #malariamustdie #CongratsParaguay #FelicidadesParaguay 14
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