Laos reaffirms commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030

During a World Malaria Day event held in Vientiane on April 24, Laos authorities have confirmed their commitment to eradicating malaria by 2030. Organised by the Communicable Disease Department of the Ministry of Health, the event was attended by over 40 representatives from government ministries, diplomatic missions, and civil society groups. Distinguished guests included Deputy of the French National Assembly Marie-Agnès Poussier-Winsback, British Ambassador to Laos Melanie Barlow, and Lady Roslyn Morauta, Chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith expressed pride over the country’s achievements in fighting diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV in the past two decades, thanks also to the support of the Global Fund. On her part, Lady Morauta reaffirmed the Global Fund’s commitment, made possible through donor support and leadership. Ambassador Barlow underlined the persistent threat posed by malaria worldwide, with 263 million cases and over 500,000 deaths in 2023. She also praised Laos’ progress in fighting the disease, significantly reducing cases through improved testing, treatment, and surveillance. Marie-Agnès Poussier-Winsback said that malaria is preventable and curable, inviting her parliamentarian colleagues to do more for the funding and support of global health initiatives. Dr Phonepadith Sangsayalath, Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control, stressed the need for continued efforts in high-risk areas like border regions. He acknowledged that, despite progress, access to testing and treatment remained difficult due to socio-economic and geographic factors.
Anti-malaria initiatives in Laos are supported by the Global Fund and implemented through the Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Programme. Health officials and international partners agree that sustained funding and regional cooperation are crucial to fighting the disease and facing new challenges such as drug-resistant strains and climate-related transmission risks.