EGYPT—The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Egypt malaria-free, marking a historic public health achievement for over 100 million people.
This milestone is the culmination of nearly a century of efforts by the Egyptian government and its people to eliminate a disease that has plagued the country since ancient times.
Malaria has been traced back to 4000 B.C with Genetic evidence of malaria has been found in ancient Egyptian mummies, including that of Tutankhamun.
Egypt’s journey to malaria elimination began in the 1920s with efforts such as banning rice cultivation and other agricultural practices near residential areas to minimise human-mosquito contact.
By 1942, significant progress had been made with the establishment of 16 treatment centers and the recruitment of over 4,000 health workers.
WHO’s certification affirms Egypt’s decades-long commitment to public health and the fight against malaria.
With this certification, Egypt becomes the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive such recognition, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.
It is also the first country in the region to achieve this status since 2010.
Globally, Egypt now joins 44 countries and one territory that have successfully eradicated malaria.
Announcing this milestone, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted the historical significance, stating, “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that once tormented the pharaohs is now part of Egypt’s past, not its future.”
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, praised Egypt’s dedication, stating, “Egypt has demonstrated that with vision, unity, and commitment, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome.”
He added that the elimination of malaria is not only a triumph for Egypt but a beacon of hope for other endemic countries, particularly in the region.
Dr. Balkhy highlighted the importance of strong community engagement, surveillance systems, and partnerships in this achievement.
Moreover, Dr Balkhy emphasized that WHO remains committed to supporting neighbouring endemic countries such as Sudan, where collaborative initiatives have been launched to enhance vector control and public health surveillance, enabling rapid detection and response to potential malaria outbreaks.
Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, during the certification ceremony, highlighted that while the malaria elimination certificate is a great achievement, it marks the start of a new phase.
“We must now work tirelessly to sustain our achievement by maintaining high standards in surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment and ensuring an effective and rapid response to any imported cases,” he said.
He further reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to preserving its malaria-free status through continued multisectoral efforts and enhancing the healthcare system under the guidance of Egypt’s leadership.
WHO grants malaria elimination certification when a country has demonstrated, beyond a reasonable doubt, that malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least three consecutive years.
Furthermore, the country must show it has the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.
In Egypt, malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free of charge to the entire population, and health professionals are trained across the nation, including at borders, to detect and screen for potential cases.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE