Hopes of eliminating malaria from more than 30 countries with a total population of 2 billion have risen following the successful removal of the disease from Sri Lanka. Photograph: Muhammed Muheisen/APThe director of the World Health Organisation’s global malaria programme said Sri Lanka had shown that, with commitment, any government could eliminate malaria, even with the tools available. Sri Lanka also sent mobile clinics into the worst-affected areas and spent time, money and effort on educating the public. All have brought down malaria cases dramatically and share a political commitment to the endgame. “In the world of malaria, Sri Lanka carries a special weight,” Alonso said.

Source: The Guardian September 09, 2016 14:12 UTC