Winston Mwale, Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, marking a remarkable achievement for the young nation that emerged from conflict and built a robust public health system from the ground up, writes Winston Mwale.

The announcement brings the number of WHO-certified malaria-free countries to 47 and makes Timor-Leste only the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region – after Maldives and Sri Lanka – to eliminate the disease.

"Timor-Leste's success proves that malaria can be stopped in its tracks when strong political will, smart interventions, sustained domestic and external investment, and dedicated health workers unite," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

From 223,000 cases to zero

Timor-Leste's malaria elimination journey is a story of persistence and partnership. In 2006, the country faced over 223,000 clinically diagnosed malaria cases.

Today, it celebrates three consecutive years without a single indigenous case, meeting WHO's certification criteria.

"We did it," declared Dr Elia Antonio de Araujo dos Reis Amaral, Minister of Health. "This elimination honours every life lost and every life now saved."

She credited the achievement to relentless frontline workers, community engagement, and close collaboration with partners like WHO and the Global Fund.

How Timor-Leste won the fight

Soon after gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste launched a dedicated National Malaria Programme in 2003 – with just two full-time officers at first – laying the groundwork for nationwide malaria control.

Key interventions included:

• Nationwide distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets
• Indoor residual spraying in high-risk areas
• Introduction of rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin-based combination therapy
• Expansion of point-of-care diagnosis to all health posts
• Deployment of mobile clinics and community outreach programs

Despite facing severe shortages of doctors and healthcare workers, the country strengthened its three-tier health system to ensure nearly every citizen could reach care within an hour's walk.

"Ending transmission and maintaining zero deaths takes more than science – it takes grit," said Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. "This victory protects generations, present and future."

A model for the region

Timor-Leste's achievement is being hailed as a model for malaria-endemic nations. It highlights the importance of strong government leadership, real-time surveillance systems, and cross-border coordination to prevent disease resurgence.

WHO has pledged continued support to ensure the country remains malaria-free and sustains the hard-won gains.

"We must safeguard this victory with continued vigilance and community action to prevent malaria's re-entry," said Dr Amaral.

As the global fight against malaria continues, Timor-Leste's success offers hope that with focus and determination, even high-burden countries can eliminate this deadly disease.

Source: https://africabrief.substack.com/p/timor-leste-certified-malaria-fre