Dr Ross Announces Drop In Malaria Cases

Dr Ross Announces Drop In Malaria Cases

Malaria cases in Solomon Islands have dropped significantly as a result of untiring efforts by the Ministry of Health’s National Vector Borne Disease Control Program in the last five years.

Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services Dr Lester Ross announced the reduction when presenting findings of a Joint Review Team from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

The team has conducted a comprehensive malaria program over the past two weeks to review the findings by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme which began in 2008.

The results indicate that the number of confirmed malaria cases has dropped from 132 per 1000 people in 2007 to 44 per 1000 people in 2012.

“This three-fold reduction is a remarkable progress which shows the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme has made remarkable progress in its malaria control efforts,” Dr Ross said.

The results also showed that Isabel Province is leading the country in its malaria elimination effort with a very strong community mobilization program.

The Province has recorded only 1 case per 1000 people tested in 2012 which has also confirmed their aspiration to eliminate malaria from the province by 2014.

ENDS

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