The people and government of Azerbaijan have made great efforts to eliminate malaria.

APA informs that this was said by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization.

"The achievements of Azerbaijan and Tajikistan are another proof that malaria can be eliminated with the right resources and political commitment. I hope that other countries can benefit from their experience," he said.

It should be noted that WHO has certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to achieve elimination of malaria in their territories.

The certification comes after sustained, centuries-long efforts by the two countries to eradicate the disease.

Malaria elimination certification is the official recognition by WHO of a country's malaria-free status.

The certificate is awarded when a country demonstrates – with strong, reliable evidence – that the chain of local malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been broken throughout the country for at least the past three years.

The country must also demonstrate its ability to prevent transmission restructuring.

"Azerbaijan and Tajikistan's achievement was made possible thanks to continuous investments and dedication of the health workforce, targeted prevention, early detection and treatment of all malaria cases. The WHO European Region is now two steps closer to becoming the first region in the world to be completely free of malaria," said the WHO. said Hans-Henri Kluge, Regional Director for Europe.

The last infection with "Plasmodium vivax" (P. vivax) malaria was detected in Azerbaijan in 2012, and in Tajikistan in 2014.

To date, a total of 41 countries and 1 territory, including 21 countries in the European region, have been certified malaria-free by WHO.