The National Malaria Control Program Concludes Sessions of the Annual Review Meeting for the year 2024

The Citizen /Haffiya Elyas

The National Malaria Control Program has officially concluded its annual review and evaluation meeting for the year 2024, held at the prestigious Al-Rih Al-Tarifi Hall in Kassala State. This significant event brought together various stakeholders to assess the progress and effectiveness of malaria control strategies in the region.

Mr. Khaled Ahmed Al-Bashir, the monitoring and follow-up officer for the program and coordinator of the meeting, provided insights in a post-meeting press statement. He highlighted that Sudan ranks as the 13th country worldwide to introduce a malaria vaccine, marking a notable milestone in public health efforts. The nation has successfully executed a comprehensive vaccination campaign targeting the states of Gedaref and Blue Nile, achieving impressive coverage rates without any reported adverse side effects. The vaccination initiative specifically focused on infants under one year of age, a demographic particularly vulnerable to severe malaria, resulting in a substantial 65% reduction in the risk of severe forms of the disease.

Mr. Al-Bashir also emphasized the critical role that insecticide-treated nets play in malaria prevention and control. He expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting, which featured engaging lectures, the sharing of innovative ideas, and valuable experiences to inform future strategies. The collaborative efforts during this session are expected to yield significant recommendations that will guide initiatives toward combating malaria through to 2025.