Vietnam is determined to eliminate malaria by 2030

On the occasion of World Malaria Prevention Day (April 25) this year, the Communist Party of Vietnam Electronic Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Director of the Central Institute of Malaria – Parasitology – Entomology (Ministry of Health) discussed the content of Vietnam’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030.

Reporter (PV): Sir, Vietnam aims to end malaria by 2030. Please share about the roadmap and results in malaria prevention in Vietnam recently?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: The National Strategy for malaria prevention and elimination was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision 1920/QD-TTg, dated October 27, 2011 and the roadmap to eliminate malaria in Vietnam has also been approved. approved by the Ministry of Health.

On October 25, 2017, Resolution 20-NQ/TW of the Central Executive Committee continued to affirm that Vietnam will eliminate malaria by 2030.

In 2023, the number of malaria patients in our country recorded will be 448 cases, a decrease of 97.3%, the number of cases of malignant malaria will decrease by 89.19%, and the number of deaths due to malaria will decrease by 85.71%. compared to 2011.

On the occasion of World Malaria Prevention Day (April 25) in 2024, we take the theme “Putting all efforts towards the finish line to eliminate malaria in Vietnam”, in order to increase access to health services to malaria prevention.

PV: How do you evaluate the current progress in malaria prevention in our country, compared to the goal of ending malaria by 2030? According to predictions, can we complete it on time, sir?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: By the end of 2023, our country will have 46 provinces recognized as having eliminated malaria. Among the 17 provinces and cities that have not yet eliminated malaria, there is still local transmission, however, the number of villages and hamlets with local transmission is increasingly narrowing. Vietnam is determined to eliminate malaria by 2030.

PV: Sir, are there any difficulties in malaria prevention activities in our country? What impact do those difficulties have?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: To eliminate malaria, all cases and disease outbreaks must be investigated, tested for early diagnosis, promptly treated and treated with mosquitoes by residual spraying, impregnated with chemical bed nets and communicated to the people. .

However, currently, diagnostic testing at the grassroots level is difficult because there is no microscope or there is a microscope, but the tester cannot see malaria parasites for a long time, so detection skills are also gradually decreasing. .

Although Vietnam has controlled the number of malaria cases to less than 500 cases/year; Malaria is mainly concentrated in some districts such as Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa province, Muong Te district, Lai Chau province, Krongpa district, Gia Lai province. However, we are facing many difficulties and challenges.

Firstly, Vietnam is a tropical country with many mountains and forests, so disease vectors develop and are difficult to control and destroy, especially in forests and fields. Currently, we still have over 6 million people living in malaria-endemic areas.

Second, imported malaria is on the rise, especially malaria from people from Africa.

Third, there is currently a phenomenon of mosquitoes becoming resistant to chemicals.

In addition, the management of mobile migrants is also very complex and cannot be handled by the health sector. It requires the participation of local authorities, departments, branches and unions.

Fourth, human resources in malaria prevention are reduced, funding is cut, international organizations also gradually reduce funding as the epidemic decreases. This will lead to a gap in financial resources for vector surveillance and case surveillance.

Therefore, there is a risk of malaria returning when an exotic or hidden case (asymtomatic) develops into an epidemic, due to not being detected early and not receiving timely passive treatment.

Fifth, the system of malaria control agency staff is lacking in quantity and weak, especially at the district and commune levels. Even at local disease control centers, there is only one parasitic disease prevention department, with about 5-7 people; District and commune levels do not have enough people to proactively monitor vectors, investigate cases and disease outbreaks, and propagate and mobilize people.

The team of grassroots staff also changes frequently, so grasping the job also requires time to access and update knowledge.

PV: So, from the above difficulties, what suggestions and recommendations do you have so that Vietnam can achieve the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: To achieve the goal of eliminating malaria in Vietnam by 2030, we need synchronous solutions.

First, you must put all your effort into reaching the finish line. That is to build a malaria elimination strategy to mobilize the participation of the entire society and invest local budgets to replace aid sources; maintain sustainability.

At the same time, promote communication and policy advocacy; Maintain and reorganize the system of professional staff – testing and case monitoring system – integrating the medical treatment system – proactively monitoring and preventing vectors; human resource training and education; maintain monitoring and reporting systems; IT applications.

At the same time, continue scientific research, investigation and assessment of epidemiology, vectors, drug resistance, and provide scientific evidence to provide appropriate professional guidance; proactively assess and prevent malaria from returning in eliminated areas.

PV: As you shared about the limitations of human resources in malaria prevention work, do you have any suggestions specifically for this human resource training work, sir?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: Currently, there are no specialized training facilities for malaria. Malaria officials depend on the position and employment of the recruiting unit and are assigned to carry out malaria-related activities.

Basically, it can be divided into 3 groups of work: investigation, supervision, case management, statistics and reporting; Diagnosis, testing, treatment and prevention of mosquitoes transmitting malaria.

These officers need to be trained on malaria prevention to improve their knowledge and skills when performing their duties. However, due to limited funding, malaria staff, especially at the grassroots level, have not been regularly trained.

To ensure the achievement of the goal of eliminating malaria and preventing malaria from returning after elimination, malaria officials need to have good knowledge and practice. To achieve this, they need to be trained and retrained annually according to the job groups mentioned above.

Therefore, when needed, units can send staff to the Central Institute of Malaria – Parasitology – Entomology to receive proper professional training to better serve local malaria prevention. .

PV: On the occasion of World Malaria Prevention Day, what message do you want to convey to the industry’s workforce as well as to the people?

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh: For health workers working on malaria, let’s work together to overcome difficulties and continue to contribute to the noble mission of eliminating malaria in Vietnam.

For the people, we should proactively prevent malaria, sleep regularly with insecticide-treated nets/nets, especially when sleeping in the fields and forests. When you have fever or malaria, go to medical facilities for timely examination, testing and treatment.

PV: Thank you very much!