Puerto Lempira is receiving the support of the Regional Malaria Elimination Initiative since July 2019 with the aim of strengthening these results
Watch here the video with the success story of Puerto Lempira
Washington, DC, November 6 2019- The Honduran municipality of Puerto Lempira has been chosen by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as an example in Latin America in the fight against malaria. The recognition came on November 6 at PAHO headquarters in Washington in the framework of an event for Malaria Day in the Americas.
Along with the success story of Puerto Lempira in its fight against malaria, PAHO also recognized the efforts of the town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in the Amazon of Brazil and La Gomera in Guatemala.
Puerto Lempira, in Honduras, has managed to reduce 92 percent of malaria cases from the work of a network of 167 trained volunteers and the use of technologies, such as geolocation, to identify the outbreaks of the disease and establish strategies prevention and control, such as the distribution of mosquito nets, residual fumigation inside homes and rapid case investigation.
In order to consolidate and maintain these achievements against malaria in Puerto Lempira and throughout the country, the Ministry of Health of Honduras and the Inter-American Development Bank signed on July 30, 2019 an agreement that includes an investment of more than eleven million US dollars (11,141,686 USD). More than seven million of this investment comes from the contribution of the Ministry of Health and the other four remaining by a group of a donor association formed by the Carlos Slim Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Fund.
According to PAHO, Puerto Lempira is an example of how sustained investments in key interventions, commitment and capacity building of volunteer partners, and the appropriate use of technology can pave the way to malaria elimination.
PAHO also considered that "among the three champions this year, Puerto Lempira was highlighted by the jury as an outstanding example."
"His work is innovative not only for malaria, but also for other diseases and conditions that may benefit from his experience, tools and platforms," said PAHO deputy director Jarbas Barbosa during the awards ceremony.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Approximately half of the world's population is at risk of malaria, particularly those living in low-income countries. In the Americas, 132 million people live in areas at risk of malaria. According to PAHO's malaria experts, urgent action is needed to re-route the global response against malaria, and responsibility for the challenge lies with the most affected countries.
PAHO / WHO partners who deliver this recognition include the United Nations Foundation, the School of Public Health of the Milken Institute of the University of George Washington, the Center for Communication Programs of the Bloomberg School of Public Health of Johns Hopkins University, the Global Health Consortium of the Stempel School of Public Health and Social Work, the Florida International University, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Malaria Day in the Americas is observed every November 6 to reinforce the region's commitment to the elimination of malaria and the prevention of its restoration. The annual Champions Against Malaria award seeks to recognize innovative and successfully demonstrated efforts in the prevention, control, elimination or prevention of the reintroduction of malaria that have significantly contributed to overcoming malaria challenges in communities, countries or America as a whole .