PHNOM PENH: The National Center for Malaria Control has reported that Cambodia had no malaria deaths between 2018 to 2021, meaning that the country achieved the death rate indicator three years before the 2020 target.

In the meeting to review the work results of 2021 and work direction of 2022 (particularly regarding the last step towards the eradication of the malaria parasite, plasmodium falciparum, by 2023), held in Siem Reap on Tuesday, the President of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM), Huy Rekul, presented a report on the results of the National Malaria Control Program, stating that in 2021, there were 4,279 cases of malaria, a decrease of 54% compared to 2020. Additionally, deaths caused by malaria were zero between 2018-2021.

The Minister of Health, Mam Bunheng, urged the working groups, relevant authorities, and partner organizations to fight against the three diseases in the context of the new Covid-19 variant – to work together to protect and prevent the spread of all kinds of diseases with timely detection and treatment methods.

He added that effective cooperation, especially for the last step towards eradicating the malaria parasite by 2023, can be achieved by strengthening the coverage of mosquito nets to 100% for migrants. Mobile malaria treatment volunteers advise everyone who moves to the forest to use mosquito nets. In particular, it is necessary to take the anti-malarial medication, Primaquine, to strengthen the body against the disease.

Minister Mam Bunheng urged all members of the meeting to pay close attention to the lively discussion in order to identify experiences and good solutions for further implementation in the effort to eradicate malaria, dengue fever, and worm diseases.