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Malaria Day in the Americas REACHING THE ZERO MALARIA TARGET

This year marks the 15th annual Malaria Day in the Americas!
Malaria Day in the Americas is an important opportunity and mechanism for countries of the Region to engage various stakeholders in aggressively fighting malaria.

Below you'll find key statistics, graphics, and social media language to share.

  1. Elimination: A Viable Goal for All Countries. Many countries that have eliminated malaria carried, at one time, a very high burden of malaria. Together, they have shown the world that malaria elimination is a viable goal for all countries, no matter how near or far they may be from the target today.
  2. Five Key Drivers of Success. Although each country’s elimination journey is unique, common drivers of success have been seen across all regions: robust political commitment, sustained funding, health systems that leave no one behind, strong health information systems, and community ownership and engagement.
  3. E-2020 / E-2025 Initiative. Building on the success of the E-2020 initiative, WHO has identified a new group of countries that have the potential to interrupt malaria transmission within a five-year timeline. The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama are joining Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Suriname in the E-2025 initiative which will support countries as they walk the last mile to towards elimination.
  4. Eliminating Malaria During a Pandemic. Best practices and sustained efforts in malaria diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, including the protection of health workers and communities as aligned with national COVID-19 guidelines, are important in moving forward with malaria elimination amidst the ongoing pandemic.
  5. Reaching the Zero Malaria Target in the Americas with intensified efforts in high-burden municipalities. Many of the municipalities and areas with the highest malaria burden in the Region are now participating in the Municipalities for Zero Malaria Initiative, bringing together key partner organizations, relevant government agencies, and municipalities affected by malaria in order to support local efforts to take effective action against the disease.
  6. Empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and elimination and leverage on multi-sectoral engagement. Organizations, citizens and local government authorities must be engaged in developing key interventions for malaria elimination at the municipality level if we are to ensure that no one gets left behind.
  7. Be part of the solution; be an advocate for malaria elimination. Learn about the disease and know if you’re at risk. Sustain malaria interventions while protecting yourself, health workers and communities from COVID-19. Share these messages with your family and friends and support the cause to eliminate malaria.
Given the far-reaching impacts of malaria on society, all sectors have an important role to play in promoting and protecting community health – and much to be gained by doing so!
Multisectoral action on malaria seeks to explore options for improved coordination and collaboration, and to identify synergies between actions by different sectors.
  • In 2021, El Salvador was certified as malaria-free, duplicating Argentina and Paraguay's achievement in 2019 and 2018 respectively. Following a more than 50-year commitment by the Salvadoran government and its people, the country became the first in the subregion to eliminate the disease. El Salvador reported its last malaria-related death in 1984 and has maintained domestic investments for malaria to this day.
  • According to the preliminary results of a recent WHO survey, one third of countries globally have experienced at least partial disruptions in the delivery of malaria services during the pandemic. The survey shows that many people are not seeking care due to the fear of contracting COVID-19.
  • In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptation of malaria surveillance and control operations according to local COVID-19 situation scenarios, algorithms and attention flows is key to ensure essential actions and enable the battle against COVID-19.
  • For the past three years, data indicate that 25 municipalities in the Region account for between 45% to 50% of all reported malaria cases in the Americas; while between 25% to 70% of all malaria cases at country level are usually concentrated within no more than three municipalities per country.
  • Many countries across the Region are scaling up their efforts to control and eliminate malaria with support from PAHO, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), non-profit partners and other global development institutions.
  • Since 2009, 42 Malaria Champions of the Americas have been recognized as best practices in the Region: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Suriname.
  • This year, high burden municipalities which managed to effectively reduce malaria cases despite challenges of the current pandemic are showcasing the progress of their efforts and are being honored as Malaria Champions.

Municipalities for Zero Malaria was inspired by the need to act more locally and more decisively to impact malaria in areas with the greatest burden. This initiative aligns with WHO's Sustainable Development Goals, including its new, country-led approach to address malaria: “High Burden to High Impact”.

This year, the “Malaria Champions of the Americas” competition is honoring Guatemalan and Peruvian communities that have worked tirelessly to diagnose, treat, and prevent malaria in their area despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES

#MalariaDayAmericas #endmalaria #MunicipalitiesforZeroMalaria

@ASTMH @nothingbutnets @malarianomore @endmalaria @unfoundation @pahowho @JohnsHopkinsSPH @JohnsHopkinsCCP @Gwpublichealth

  • On #MalariaDayAmericas, @PAHO calls to keep malaria high in the political agenda to keep #malaria back on track. Sustain malaria efforts while protecting yourself, your community and health workers during COVID-19. #zeromalaria
  • 5 things are needed to move towards malaria elimination: 1 political commitment, 2 financial resources, 3 accessible health systems, 4 robust surveillance, 5 empowered communities #zeromalaria #HealthForAll
  • After years of success, progress against #malaria has stalled. Today is Malaria Day in the Americas, so let’s get back on track. We need: political commitment, financial resources, and new & improved tools. #Readytobeatmalaria
  • This #MalariaDayAmericas and with COVID-19, interventions must consider the importance of lowering disease and death caused by malaria, while ensuring the safety of communities and health workers. #HealthForAll #zeromalaria
  • Be part of the solution to #EndMalaria, & be an advocate for malaria elimination #MalariaDayAmericas #zeromalaria
  • Universal coverage of proven #malaria prevention tools will improve health & save lives #MalariaDayAmericas #zeromalaria
  • #MalariaDayAmericas is an opportunity to learn about the disease and know if you’re at risk. #zeromalaria
  • Continue affirming that municipalities with challenging situations can be on the path towards #zeromalaria. #MunicipalitiesforZeroMalaria
  • During #MalariaDayAmericas! we want to congratulate El Salvador for being certified by WHO this year as #malariafree, 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉 congratulations!

Congratulations La Gomera, #Guatemala for ensuring access to prompt malaria diagnosis and treatment despite the hardships of #COVID-19! Your work helped in reducing malaria cases and transmission rates #MalariaChampions2021

Congratulations Andoas, #Peru for your commitment to eliminate malaria despite COVID-19! The capacity-building among community health workers emphasizing intercultural aspects contributed to a decline in malaria cases and malaria transmission rates since 2017. #MalariaChampions2021

  • We are celebrating Malaria Day in the Americas, a day created to bring together the malaria community and celebrate the success we have had in the fight against malaria. We need to build on the momentum of today and encourage people in the Region to become strong and involved advocates against the disease. Join us today!
  • Since 2009, 42 Malaria Champions of the Americas have been recognized. This year, we're thrilled to honor La Gomera (Guatemala) and Andoas (Peru). These Malaria Champions managed to effectively reduce malaria cases despite challenges of the current pandemic.
  • In 2021, El Salvador was certified as malaria-free, duplicating Argentina and Paraguay's achievement in 2019 and 2018 respectively. Following a more than 50-year commitment by the Salvadoran government and its people, the country became the first in the subregion to eliminate the disease.
  • Although each country’s elimination journey is unique, common drivers of success have been seen across all regions: robust political commitment, sustained funding, health systems that leave no one behind, strong health information systems, and community ownership and engagement.
  • Best practices and sustained efforts in malaria diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, including the protection of health workers and communities as aligned with national COVID-19 guidelines, are important in moving forward with malaria elimination amidst the ongoing pandemic.

https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/malaria-day-americas

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