Asmara — In a report it issued, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that death rate caused by malaria infection has decreased by over 50% over the past six years in Eritrea.

The report pointed out that despite the fact that radical change is being witnessed at the global level in controlling malaria epidemic beginning in the year 2006, the danger posed by the disease, nonetheless, is still alarming. The WHO report further underlined that the achievement registered in Eritrea which is the first of its kind is exemplary to other countries.

In information he provided to ERINA in connection with the accomplishment, Dr. Tewolde Gebremeskel, head of national malaria control program in the Ministry of Health, noted that no other country has made major reduction in the spread of malaria disease over the past seven years as Eritrea. He further indicated that the achievement fully attests to the serious efforts the country has exerted.

Dr. Tewolde went on to say that death and illness caused by malaria has dropped by 90% in Eritrea and that this figure has been confirmed by independent sources. Nonetheless, he stressed the need to exert even more efforts to register still greater achievement.