Sri Lanka applies for WHO certification on malaria-free status

Sri Lanka has applied for World Health Organization (WHO) certification on malaria-free status, which is a milestone in the history of health and development of the country, according to the Government Information Department.

National Programme Manager of Maternal and Child Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance Unit, Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health and Consultant Community Physician Dr. Kapila Jayaratne has said that Sri Lanka has steadily reduced the malaria cases from over 400,000 in 1991 to zero cases by November 2012, sustaining this achievement to date in spite of the nearly three decades of conflict.

According to Dr. Jayaratne, Sri Lanka will be celebrating the fourth consecutive malaria-free year but that there are high risk groups which pose a threat to the malaria-free status.

Sri Lankan businessman and traders who travel frequently to India and other neighbouring countries, Sri Lankans engaged in the gem business in African countries like Madagascar and Mozambique, Sri Lankan military personnel returning from peace-keeping missions in the African region, Sri Lankans returning from work or leisure trips abroad – mainly from Africa and East and South Asia, Sri Lankans returning from South India and resettling in north-east areas, are high risk groups, Dr. Jayaratne said.

Tourists and foreigners who have arrived here traveling through other countries in Asia or Africa, migrant workers/labourers from neighbouring countries working in Sri Lanka on industrial and development projects in dockyards and ports and refugees including those from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar are also high risk groups, he added.

Certification of malaria elimination is the official recognition of malaria-free status granted by WHO. The final decision on granting certification is made by the WHO Director-General. Countries are expected to continue reporting on an annual basis to WHO on the maintenance of the malaria-free status.