Mekong countries call for accelerated action to eliminate malaria before 2030
Drug resistance is still the main concern for health authorities in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Yesterday, representatives from these countries called for accelerated action to eliminate malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) by the year 2030.
The call comes amid concern over resistance of malaria parasites to antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin—the core compound of the best available anti-malarial medicines. To date, resistance has been detected in five of the six GMS countries. The best way to address the threat posed by drug-resistance is to eliminate malaria altogether from the countries of the Mekong.
The Vientiane Times reporter
