PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen released an open letter on 25 April 2023 in honor of World Malaria Day. He called for a continued collective effort to meet the country’s zero-malaria target by 2025.

According to the PM, the Royal Government’s National Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Malaria 2011-2025 is well-aligned with the sustainable goals of 2023. In 2018 the Ministry of Health partnered with the WHO and the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control to intensify efforts within hard-to-reach populations.

Cambodia has made an incredible turnaround in malaria cases due to its sustained commitment to eradicating the disease. Malaria cases declined from over 66,000 cases in 2018, to just over 4,000 cases in 2021, only three short years later. Cambodia is considered a malaria elimination success story and its efforts mean the Greater Mekong subregion is no longer considered a major threat to global eradication of the disease.

The Prime Minister thanked all health workers for their sacrifice, hard work and cooperation for such remarkable achievements in fighting the disease. He views this year’s theme, “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement,” as a good reminder for Cambodia to further commit to its anti-malarial efforts so that they may eradicate malaria in the country by 2025. For the government’s part, he emphasized the importance of building awareness and providing easily accessible, quality service free of charge for all.