National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) of Sri Lanka: 2023 – 2027

The National Strategic Plan (NSP) for prevention of re-establishment of malaria 2023-2027 is primarily targeted at sustaining Sri Lanka as a malaria-free country after being certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in September 2016. Sri Lanka has been able to maintain zero indigenous cases of malaria for over 10 years since 2012. There was one introduced case of malaria detected in 2018 but further spread was prevented with implementation of an intense response. No death due to malaria has been reported since 2007.

The Anti Malaria Campaign (AMC) has transitioned successfully from funding from the Global Fund (GF), the last grant ending in 2021, to mobilising adequate local funding to continue with the programme. Its strategies have also evolved over the years through control to elimination to prevention of re-establishment phases.

The NSP supports advocating for continued commitment against the disease and provides justification for sustained investment for the prevention of re-establishment of malaria in Sri Lanka. The NSP provides a framework for the programme to work within the existing structures and defines specific milestones towards preventing re-establishment of malaria in Sri Lanka.

Given that the AMC and that the programme has successfully prevented re-establishment of malaria for over 10 years, the same plan and activities should be continued with some tweaking necessary as and when needed. Political and financial commitment has to be ensured for prevention of re-establishment of malaria under whatever circumstances as the country is highly receptive for disease transmission. Vigilance has to be maintained at a very high level.