In his opening speech, H.E. Dr Myint Htwe stated that although malaria incidence and deaths have declined in the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries, many issues remain to be tackled. These include issues of drug resistant malaria parasites and insecticide resistant mosquitoes, mobile and migrant populations, mass migrations, emergence of fake and sub-standard malaria drugs, and access to quality basic healthcare services in hard-to-reach areas – which need scaling up of malaria prevention and control efforts with greater momentum.
H.E. Dr Myint Htwe continued that increased collaboration was needed with the private sector, private general practitioners, ethnic health partners, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, partner organizations and donors. He added that concerted effort within the Greater Mekong Sub-region was necessary because even if malaria elimination were attained in one of its countries, it could not be sustained given population mobility and migration in the region and its natural geographical proximity and connections. He concluded that all regional partners should work together towards achievement of malaria elimination in the region by 2030.
The High Level Meeting served as a platform to convene high level officials (Directors General or equivalent) from the region in the context of the new Global Fund regional malaria funding request (2018–2020) and to agree priorities for long-term and sustainable financing mechanisms for national malaria elimination strategies, together with shared priorities that may require regional financing. It encouraged intra-regional collaboration and development partner support to ensure that malaria elimination goals can be achieved. To follow on, a minister level meeting is planned in November 2017.
A story on the Second RAI Intercountry High Level Meeting was also featured on the Myanmar National TV channel, and it can be viewed here.