Message from Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on World Malaria

Islamabad

Today Pakistan joins the rest of the world in observing World Malaria Day, 2024.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2024 is Advancing health equity, gender equality and human rights which is an undertaking to involve multiple stakeholders i.e. policy makers, donors, healthcare providers, community members from all walks of life in fight against Malaria.

We need to learn from each others’ experiences and support each others’ efforts in combating the disease. The research and academic institutions need to flag scientific advances to both experts and the general public, international partners, companies and foundations to showcase their efforts and reflect on how to further scale up malaria control interventions.

The aim of Government of Pakistan, in this regard, is to get more people involved in the fight against the disease that affects more than 1 million Pakistanis every year.

Despite the country’s achievements in Malaria control, sustaining the gains still remains a challenge. It is my belief that every individual has the right to live a healthy and prosperous life with dignity. Everyone must have access to quality assured malaria testing and treatment facilities, free of cost, at their door steps.

Ministry of National Health Services and Coordination through Common Management Unit Malaria, National and international partners, provincial counterparts, NGOs and private stakeholders has significantly enhanced the free malaria testing and treatment facilities in the malaria endemic districts across the country.

While we strive to provide equitable health services to our citizens, we deeply appreciate the role of the private sector and our global partners.

I call upon all partners, organizations, healthcare professionals, and individuals to unite in our efforts to end malaria.
We must work collaboratively to strengthen healthcare systems, increase access to quality diagnosis and treatment, and raise awareness about the importance of prevention and control measures of malaria.

With vigorous political commitment, adequate investment mix of strategies, we can reach our common goal of a world free of malaria.