Georgia earned WHO Malaria-Free Certification, capping a decades-long battle against the illness. This honour recognizes Georgia’s effective public health measures, strong surveillance systems, and dedication to malaria eradication. Georgia’s victory, which joins 45 other countries and one territory that has already been verified, demonstrates global efforts to eradicate the illness. This achievement makes Turkey the last country in the area to achieve malaria-free status, emphasizing the ongoing need for regional collaboration and targeted policies. Georgia earned WHO Malaria-Free Certification, and its achievement raises hopes for a malaria-free future while emphasizing the significance of ongoing efforts to prevent vector-borne infections.

A Longstanding Challenge

Malaria has always been a severe health issue in Georgia. Prior to the twentieth century, three malaria parasite species were endemic in the region: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium vivax. In the 1920s, malaria affected an estimated 30% of Georgia’s population, with P. vivax being especially widespread. Early measures to combat the disease began in the early 1900s, and by 1940, large-scale mosquito control initiatives had significantly reduced malaria cases.

However, these advances were eroded by World War II, when population changes and overburdened healthcare services led to a revival. Renewed efforts in the mid-twentieth century, including insecticides, new treatments, and greater surveillance, eventually halted the spread of P. falciparum in 1953, P. malariae in 1960, and P. vivax in 1970. Georgia had been malaria-free for 25 years until 2002 the disease reappeared with 474 documented cases.

This return spurred Georgia to step up its malaria elimination efforts, including signing the Tashkent Declaration in 2005 with nine other countries from the WHO European Region. These activities yielded extraordinary results, with Georgia reporting zero indigenous malaria infections in 2009. In 2015, all 53 countries of the WHO European Region, including Georgia, have eliminated indigenous malaria.

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Maintaining a Malaria-Free Status

The WHO’s accreditation process requires a country to show that indigenous malaria transmission has been halted nationwide for at least three years. Georgia satisfied this condition and demonstrated a healthcare system capable of sustaining its malaria-free status.

Georgia’s participation in the 2017 Ashgabat Statement reiterated its determination to maintain this success. The 2024 certification process relied heavily on the country’s healthcare infrastructure, distinguished by strong public-private cooperation and unwavering governmental commitment.

Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, hailed Georgia’s success and emphasized its importance to the area. He stated that Georgia’s victory moves the WHO European territory closer to being the world’s first malaria-free territory. Kluge ascribed this success to long-term investment, dedicated health workers, and targeted efforts at prevention, early detection, and successful treatment.

Mikheil Sarjveladze, Georgia’s Minister of Health, cited the certification as evidence of the country’s strong healthcare system. “This success means that Georgia can address important health challenges with even greater confidence,” he said.

Georgia’s path has reached a new milestone, demonstrating how innovation, persistence, and collaboration can overcome previous health obstacles. As Turkey remains the only nation in the WHO European Region that has yet to earn malaria-free certification, Georgia’s success represents a crucial step towards a malaria-free future for the entire region.

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