World Health Organization Confirms Elimination of Malaria in Suriname

World Health Organization Confirms Elimination of Malaria in Suriname

Suriname, a small South American country, has made history by becoming the first country in the Amazon region to eliminate malaria, according to a statement from the World Health Organization (WHO). This significant achievement was the culmination of two decades of sustained efforts and innovative strategies.

In the early 2000s, Suriname was grappling with a malaria epidemic. In 2001 alone, the country recorded 15,000 malaria cases, a stark reminder of the disease's prevalence. Malaria, one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide, is transmitted by mosquitoes and has been responsible for numerous deaths, particularly among children under five years old. In 2023, an estimated 263 million people in 83 countries contracted malaria, leading to 597,000 malaria-related deaths.

Suriname's journey towards malaria elimination began with a commitment from the government. They established a National Malaria Elimination Taskforce, a Malaria Program, and a dedicated Malaria Elimination Fund, ensuring continuous political and financial support. This commitment was further strengthened through regional collaboration with neighbouring countries, including Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana.

Long-term technical cooperation from PAHO/WHO and the U.S. government also played a crucial role in strengthening Suriname's program capacities. The country was part of the “Elimination 2025” initiative, a global effort targeting malaria elimination by 2025.

One of the key challenges in Suriname was persistent malaria transmission among remote gold mining communities in the Amazon. To address this, Suriname implemented the Malakit intervention. This innovative approach involved distributing self-testing and self-treatment kits to miners. These kits included rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) plus primaquine, ensuring prompt diagnosis and effective treatment adherence. This strategy led to a 43% decline in malaria incidence in the mining population between 2018 and 2020.

Alongside the Malakit project, years of targeted prevention campaigns and rapid case responses contributed to driving malaria cases down to zero. These efforts, combined with the government's sustained leadership and international cooperation, overcame the challenges posed by Suriname's dense forests and hard-to-reach areas.

On June 30, 2025, Suriname was officially certified malaria-free by the WHO, demonstrating that elimination is possible in challenging tropical, forested settings. This achievement serves as a beacon of hope for other countries still battling malaria, showcasing the power of sustained leadership, international cooperation, and innovative community-based strategies.

References:

1. World Health Organization (2025). Suriname achieves malaria elimination. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-suriname-achieves-malaria-elimination
2. Pan American Health Organization (2025). Suriname eliminates malaria. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14235:suriname-eliminates-malaria&catid=82:press-releases&Itemid=552
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2025). Suriname achieves malaria elimination. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/news/2025/suriname-eliminates-malaria.html
4. United Nations Children's Fund (2023). Malaria: A persistent threat to children's health. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/health/malaria
5. World Malaria Report (2023). World Malaria Report 2023. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-malaria-report-2023
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