Egypt has achieved a historic milestone by being certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), following nearly a century of dedicated efforts.

This certification makes Egypt the second country worldwide, after Cabo Verde, to attain this status in 2024, and the fifth African nation overall.

The WHO awarded this certification to Egypt, recognizing its successful elimination of local malaria transmission.

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stated that this achievement marks the beginning of a new phase, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance and high standards in surveillance and treatment.

While the WHO praised Egypt's success, it cautioned that the country must remain vigilant to prevent the resurgence of malaria.

Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts, including surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment, to maintain malaria-free status.

Egypt has made significant strides in healthcare access, with 95% of the population living within 5 kilometers of a health center, and providing free malaria diagnosis and treatment to all residents.

The country has integrated malaria control with other vector-borne disease management, establishing a High Committee for Integrated Vector Management in 2016.

To prevent the re-establishment of malaria, Egypt has maintained a robust surveillance and response system, alongside strong cross-border partnerships, particularly with Sudan.

By 2001, Egypt had successfully controlled malaria, and a brief outbreak in 2014 was effectively contained through prompt detection and treatment.

The construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s initially posed new malaria risks, but Egypt implemented rigorous vector control and surveillance measures to mitigate these threats.

Despite the success in Egypt, malaria remains a significant global health threat, with current vaccines reducing severe cases, yet challenges such as flooding and inadequate public health infrastructure persist.