WHO commends Lanka for sustaining disease-free milestones

The World Health Organization (WHO) has congratulated Sri Lanka on sustaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for a decade and maintaining its malaria-free status for 10 years.

In a citation issued on September 8, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia commended the Government for its continued commitment to public health and for maintaining the two key disease-elimination achievements.

The WHO attributed Sri Lanka’s success in sustaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus to strong national commitment, high-quality immunization services and safe delivery practices.

It said the achievement also contributed to wider efforts by WHO member states to sustain the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus across the South-East Asian region.

Sri Lanka was also recognized for maintaining its malaria-free status for a decade since it received WHO certification in 2016. The organization credited the achievement to the country’s sustained commitment to malaria elimination and continued vigilance to prevent the re-establishment of the disease.

The WHO said Sri Lanka’s success also contributed significantly to regional efforts to maintain a malaria-free South-East Asia.

The WHO Regional Office extended its congratulations to the Government, particularly the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, describing the two milestones as “remarkable public health successes.”

The citation was issued by Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.