Malaria outbreaks in Myanmar declined by 85 per cent in 2018 and the number of malaria-related deaths also declined by 95 per cent, compared to figures in 2012, according to the WHO’s malaria survey record. 

Despite a decline in the number of outbreaks and deaths, the country needs to continue efforts to achieve the goals of eliminating malaria. 

Myanmar adopted the National Anti-Malaria Strategic Project (2016-2020). A plan is under way to implement the Malaria Free Strategic Plan (2021-2025). 

An official of the Anti-Malaria Project said, “The number of malaria cases declined from 0.11 million in 2016 to 68,000 in 2018. In 2018, there were 14 reported malaria deaths nationwide. Currently, drug-resistant malaria and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes are not detected yet. In 2017, 4.9 million mosquito nets were distributed. This year, we will distribute around six million insecticide-treated bed nets.”

In Myanmar, two in 1,000 populations are infected with malaria. The number of malaria cases has been on the decline. The death rate is 0.04 per cent in 100,000 population. 

The ministry has designated some places in more than 300 townships as the malaria risk areas.