Bangladesh devises plan to eliminate malaria by 2030

Bangladesh has set a target to eliminate mosquito-borne malaria by 2030, the director general for health services has said.

“We are firm on achieving the target,” Prof Abul Kalam Azad said, “We have devised our strategies that way”.

He was speaking at a journalists' orientation programme on malaria on Sunday ahead of World Malaria Day on Tuesday. Senior officials of the malaria programme were also present, among others.

The director general said part of the plan they would increase the disease detection rate, and strengthen mosquito control activities further, particularly in the high prevalence districts.

He is optimistic as Bangladesh could half the number of malaria cases in the past seven years. The deaths have also fallen to 17 last year from 154 in 2008.

The disease is mostly prevalent in three hilly districts – Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachharhi -- now.

Malaria expert Prof MA Faiz said to eliminate malaria by 2030, internal transmission of the disease must be ‘zero’ by 2027 and “then we’ll have to sustain that for consecutive three years and then will be eligible for WHO certificate”.

“We’ll have to involve the community to eliminate it for good,” he said, stressing public awareness in endemic districts.

He said the disease is not prevalent across Bangladesh. It is near elimination in the districts of Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Netrokona, and Kurigram.

“We do not see malaria in other plain districts,” he said.

“We have to encourage people in the endemic Chittagong Hilly districts to take proper treatment even when in fever which is the symptom of malaria.

"Malaria detection, treatment and reporting must be strengthened at the community level both by the government and NGOs. Mosquito control measures should be promoted,” he said.