ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for making collective efforts to curb malaria as the World Malaria Day is being observed across the globe including Pakistan today (Thursday). 

In his message on World Malaria Day, he said Pakistan was determined to implement new initiatives under the Global Malaria Programme. 

He said the measures were aimed at testing, confirming and standardising the treatment of every suspected case of malaria. 

Expressing concern over the rise in malaria cases in the country due to the devastating floods of 2022, President Zardari called upon the provincial governments and other stakeholders to get united to deal with this alarming situation. 

He also called for raising awareness about the disease. 

PM STRESSES UNITY TO FIGHT MALARIA 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called upon all partners, organisations, healthcare professionals and individuals to unite in their efforts to end malaria. 

In his message on the occasion, he emphasised collaborative efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, increase access to quality diagnosis and treatment, and raise awareness about the importance of prevention and control measures of malaria. 

The prime minister said the common goal of a world free of malaria could be achieved through vigorous political commitment and adequate investment strategies. 

Shehbaz Sharif said the research and academic institutions needed 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. 

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

He said despite the country’s achievements in malaria control, sustaining the gains still remains a challenge. He said everyone must have access to quality assured malaria testing and treatment facilities, free of cost, at their doorsteps.