The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Thursday called on governments and health partners across the Americas to intensify efforts to ensure that everyone at risk of malaria receives timely diagnosis and treatment — especially in remote and indigenous communities where the disease remains entrenched.
Speaking on Malaria Day in the Americas, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director for the Americas and the Caribbean, emphasized that the region has the tools needed to end malaria for good.
“Every malaria case can be prevented and treated,” Dr. Barbosa said. “We have all the tools we need to eliminate malaria. But this will only be possible if health services, communities, and governments work together to make testing and treatment available to everyone, everywhere.”
PAHO highlighted significant progress made in recent years. Suriname was recently certified malaria-free, joining Paraguay, El Salvador, and Belize as the first countries in the Amazon basin to achieve this milestone since 2018. These successes, the organization said, demonstrate that eliminating malaria is possible when countries sustain political commitment and engage communities, even in complex settings.
Despite the progress, 15 countries and one territory in the Americas still report malaria transmission. Most cases occur in the Amazon basin, where scattered populations, poverty, and limited access to health care continue to hinder disease control.
According to PAHO, indigenous peoples remain the most affected group, accounting for over one-third of reported cases and nearly 30 percent of malaria-related deaths.
Malaria cases across the Americas rose by 6% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 505 reported cases. Increases were noted particularly in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Haiti, and Panama, driven by factors such as internal migration, gold mining, climate events like El Niño, and the ongoing challenges of delivering care in remote or conflict-affected areas.
To recognize those on the front lines, PAHO announced that Malaria Day 2025 in the Americas will honor thousands of health workers and community partners for their essential role in combating the disease.
“In many rural and hard-to-reach areas, malaria diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are only possible because of the dedication of local residents who are trained and supervised,” PAHO noted. “These community members — often living in indigenous territories and border zones — serve as the first line of defense against malaria.”
PAHO urged countries to intensify elimination efforts, expand access to rapid diagnostic tests and treatments, and strengthen surveillance systems to ensure timely and accurate data. The organization also called for stronger national alliances among governments, communities, and partners, under the leadership of health ministries, to accelerate progress toward a malaria-free region.
