In a landmark achievement, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Egypt as malaria-free. The certification follows nearly a century of dedicated efforts by the Egyptian government and civil society to eliminate a disease that has plagued the region for millennia. “Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a statement released by the WHO on Sunday. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region, and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools.” Egypt’s achievement positions it as the third country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve malaria-free status, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and the first since 2010. Globally, 44 countries and one territory have reached this milestone. Certification granted by the WHO requires a country to prove that local…
