VIENTIANE, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Lao Ministry of Health has devised a plan to reduce the transmission of malaria, aiming to wipe out the disease in the country, according to a report issued by the Center of Information and Education for Health under the health ministry on Monday.

Some areas of Laos are still experiencing high rates of malaria, with most cases occurring in the south of the country, so it was necessary to focus on these areas when attempting to reduce transmission of the disease, it said.

Meanwhile, much remains to be done to achieve the goal of wiping out malaria in Laos, it stressed.

The Lao government is carrying out control activities, establishing a network of malaria awareness services at the village level, providing long-term medication for malaria sufferers, and tracing patients in the malaria response process.

The Ministry of Health joined forces with local and international partners to devise a plan to eliminate malaria, which was implemented in 60 villages of seven districts in five provinces in 2022.

The ministry and its partners are continuing to seek more support from the authorities, international organizations and development partners in the malaria control activities to be implemented in southern Laos' Savannakhet and Attapeu provinces.

To accelerate efforts to eliminate malaria, authorities will run awareness-raising campaigns in local communities and carry out surveys. They will also distribute medication in target villages and make sure preventive drugs are available for the general population.

The authorities will encourage people to take medication to prevent infection and those who develop a fever will be examined every two weeks.

In 2022, cases of malaria were detected in 38 districts out of a total of 148 districts. Cases were identified in 88 health facilities out of the 1,244 health facilities across the country, according to the report. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)