The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as malaria-free, marking the successful end of nearly a century of efforts to eradicate the ancient disease from the nation. With over 100 million inhabitants, Egypt becomes the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this status, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.
“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge.”
The WHO certification is granted when a country proves, beyond doubt, that the transmission of malaria has been interrupted for at least three consecutive years. Egypt is now one of 44 countries globally to receive this accolade.
Speaking on the achievement, H.E. Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt, emphasized the importance of vigilance going forward. “Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement.”
He added, “Our continued multisectoral efforts will be critical to preserving Egypt’s malaria-free status. I reaffirm that we will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the wise leadership’s guidance.”
The journey to malaria elimination in Egypt began in the 1920s, with strict measures to reduce mosquito-human contact, particularly in the Nile River regions where the disease was prevalent. Egypt designated malaria as a notifiable disease in 1930, and later established its first malaria control station, focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.
The country faced challenges, including a resurgence of malaria cases during World War II, with over 3 million cases recorded in 1942. However, through robust public health measures, the establishment of treatment divisions, and collaboration with neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Egypt succeeded in regaining control over the disease.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, praised Egypt’s victory as an inspiration for other countries. “This success in eliminating malaria is not just a victory for public health but a sign of hope for the entire world, especially for other endemic countries in our region.”
