TIMOR-Leste is malaria-free.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said this was a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritised the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002.
“WHO congratulates the people and government of Timor-Leste on this significant milestone,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Timor-Leste’s success proves that malaria can be stopped in its tracks when strong political will, smart interventions, sustained domestic and external investment and dedicated health workers unite.”
WHO has certified 47 countries and 1 territory as malaria-free. Timor-Leste is the third country to be certified in the WHO South-East Asia region, joining Maldives and Sri Lanka, which were certified in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.