Dr Hamelmann addresses the meeting on the occasion of World Malaria Day21 May 2018 – Ceremonies were held at Imam-Jawad Hall on 1 May 2018, under the global theme of “Ready to beat malaria” with participation of authorities from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, including Dr Raeisi, Deputy Minister for Public Health; Dr Haghdoost, Deputy Minister for Strategic Planning and Coordination; Dr Gouya, Director of Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s Center for Communicable Diseases Control; distinguished guests from academia, representatives of United Nations agencies, members of the parliament and health volunteers from affected communities.
Dr Pedro Alonso, Global Malaria Programme Director, Dr Ghasem Zamani, Regional Malaria Advisor from the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and Dr Christoph Hamelmann, WHO Representative for the Islamic Republic of Iran also participated.
Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General, addresses participants by video messageDr Alireza Raeisi Deputy, Minister for Public Health, addressed the seminar with a welcome message and a presentation about malaria globally, in the Region and in Islamic Republic of Iran. He expressed his Ministry’s commitment to eliminate malaria in the country; however, it requires the cooperation of neighbouring countries and international organizations to prevent cross-border transmission of disease.
Speech of Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of Global Malaria ProgrammeDr Pedro Alonso said that malaria infects 200 million people annually and 500 000 deaths occur worldwide. However, is it a preventable disease for which health ministers have committed to eliminating by 2030. Islamic Republic of Iran is among the 20 countries which are most likely to succeed in eliminating malaria within a few years.
Dr Christoph Hamelmann acknowledged the remarkable efforts and significant achievements of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and other stakeholders towards achieving the malaria elimination target. In the final steps towards elimination, special attention is needed to programme strengthening across various sectors. In addition, it is recommended to strengthen risk analysis and forecasting in internal and cross-border settings.
“Integrated vector control management plays a critical role in this regard while cross border collaboration and community mobilization are 2 essential elements which should be strengthened and maintained to avoid reintroduction,” he added.
“Technical capacity and standards in surveillance, diagnosis, clinical management, monitoring and evaluation should be maintained while new case reports are further decreasing.”
Deputy Minister Dr Raeisi, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, at the stand to launch "History of the successful struggle against malaria in the Islamic Republic of Iran"During the ceremony, a new book entitled “History of the successful struggle against malaria in the Islamic Republic of Iran” was launched, which was followed by the acknowledgement of some of the pioneers of malaria control in Islamic Republic of Iran, including Dr Allan Schapira, the world-recognized malaria expert who is currently helping WHO and the Ministry in developing an updated roadmap towards malaria elimination in the country and the chief editor of the book. Dr Ahmad Raeisi, National Malaria Programe Manager, presented also a fine rug portraying him.
Related links
Integrated vector management: Strategic framework for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2016–2020
Regional malaria action plan 2016–2020 Towards a malaria-free Region
