July 16, 2019 - Belize has achieved a 99,8% reduction in indigenous cases between 2000 and 2018, from 1486 to three. As of July 2019, Belize reported zero indigenous malaria cases which confirms the possibility of having eliminated the disease by 2020 as projected by the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization PAHO/WHO. That substantial decline in cases can be attributed to effective investments in early detection and treatment and preventative measures such as indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) and effective leadership of the Ministry of Health to conduct these interventions throughout the entire country. With a view towards elimination by 2020, Belize’s national malaria program reoriented its activities in 2015 to enhance surveillance through a greater focus on locating where malaria transmission is most likely to occur, known as risk stratification.
With this in mind, the Ministry of Health, PAHO, Inter-American Development Bank (within the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative) are seeking to have even greater impact to accelerate malaria elimination and attain the malaria-free status.
Last week, the stakeholders jointly conducted a series of training sessions in the country to continue strengthening Diagnosis, Treatment, Investigation and Response (DTI-R) at the local level. The main objectives were:
1. To train field teams in malaria foci (focus areas) management:
2. To micro-stratify (characterize) and micro-plan malaria foci;
3. Organize the DTI-R in the districts.
During the 5 days of activities consisting of training, field visits and intense discussions, there was an assessment of the implementation of interventions aimed at eliminating Malaria in the areas in Belize where the last cases were reported. Three focus areas were targeted and micro plans for each were developed with the Regional Managers, district supervisors and vector control personnel to be piloted in the districts. Interviews were held with Community Health Workers and voluntary collaborators to get their input about the main challenges for malaria elimination. DTI-R strategies were also organized in two Districts, namely Stann Creek and Cayo Districts.
