[Malaria in Afghanistan]

Abstract

Malaria is endemic throughout the country at altitudes below 1500 m. The annual number of malaria cases is estimated to be 2-3 million. A total of 395,581 were officially reported in 1999. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for 11.2% of the total microscopically confirmed cases. Voluntary repatriation for Afghan refugees from Iran has started since April 2000. WHO is negotiating with UNHCR the issue of providing special groups with insecticide-impregnated bednets (ITNs). Malaria control activities during 1999 focused on the better quality of diagnosis and treatment, implementation of selective and sustainable preventive measures, epidemic readiness and response, and a strengthened surveillance system. Community participation was well demonstrated in using bednets and gambusia fish programs. During 1999, the number of PHC structures involved in malaria diagnosis and treatment and recording tripled as compared to those in 1998. A total of 62,507 ITNs were distributed nationwide. Other 39,601 bednets distributed in 1998 were reimpregnated. Urban and periurban malaria control was initiated in two provinces by using larvicides, biological and environmental management methods. A national prevalence survey was conducted in 20 out of 31 provinces of Afghanistan. Malaria Committees were established in the western, northern, and northeastern regions of the country in January-February 2000. The total number of such committees in the country increased to 7. An RBM task force including key stakeholders was set up to initiate the Roll Back Malaria partnership in Afghanistan.