As the regional Principal Recipient for the Global Fund’s RAI3E grant, UNOPS Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) is proud to highlight our unwavering commitment and the significant progress we have achieved towards eliminating malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion.The Greater Mekong Subregion has made significant strides towards malaria control and elimination. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, these countries have maintained essential malaria services. The subregion has committed to eliminating Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) by 2023 and all forms of malaria by 2030.
During Q2 (April–June) 2023, there was a notable increase of 45% in malaria case detection compared to the same period in the previous year. The majority (84%) were Plasmodium vivax (Pv) cases, representing a 41% increase from the previous year.
Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam are making impressive strides towards eliminating the deadliest type of malaria, Pf, by the end of 2023. The countries are implementing an aggressive approach to Pf elimination and are on track with their targets. Although antimalarial drug resistance remains a concern, the countries have seen promising results towards Pf elimination.
UNOPS ARHC is working closely with the national malaria programmes and Global Fund grant Sub-recipients to continue supporting increased malaria service coverage for remote populations in border areas and other at-risk populations, as well as case management through health volunteers and strengthening national surveillance systems.
Between 2014 and June 2023 in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative programme contributed the following towards the elimination of malaria:
- 56.3 million people tested for malaria
- 2.5 million people treated for malaria
- 32.1 million insecticide-treated bed nets distributed
- 33,000+ volunteers trained, and malaria posts established.
