Guyana learning from Suriname how to eliminate malaria

Last Updated on Friday, 21 November 2025, 23:40 by Writer

A delegation from Guyana, consisting of PAHO Director Dr. Kim Dickson and the Guyana Malaria Program, conducted a malaria elimination exchange visit to Suriname from November 19 to 21, 2025.

Suriname’s Communications Service said, “The purpose of this visit was to exchange knowledge about the approach to malaria in Suriname. This mission focuses on lessons and strategies learned from the success of malaria elimination in Suriname, which can support Guyana’s progress towards elimination and also contribute to preventing the reintroduction of malaria in Suriname.”

Suriname on June 30 Suriname became the first country in the Amazon region to receive malaria-free certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

At the opening of the meeting, Minister of Health, Welfare and Labor André Misiekaba, expressed his delight at that gathering. He emphasized that after Suriname received the WHO malaria-free certificate last month, PAHO has fully focused on strategies to expand the number of malaria-free areas in the Amazon region.

“As Minister of Health, I am aware that the eradication of malaria in Suriname, which is part of the Guiana Shield and also the Amazon region, is not sustainable if it is not accompanied by regional efforts to further reduce malaria.”

Mr Misiekaba further emphasized that the main challenge currently facing Suriname is preventing the reintroduction of malaria due to cross-border population movements. Guyana’s significant reduction in malaria cases since last year is very encouraging.

Finally, he expressed the hope that this bilateral meeting will lead to a sharing of experiences that will not only help keep Suriname malaria-free, but will also lead to more intensive cross-border cooperation, information exchange, and bilateral support, which will then lead to a malaria-free Guyana Shield in the near future.

The malaria elimination mission carried out various activities during its time in Suriname, including a technical meeting with the team from the National Malaria Program (Suriname and Guyana) and the Malaria Elimination Task Force, a visit to the TropClinic/Malaria Clinic in Paramaribo to observe diagnosis and treatment practices, and a field visit to the malaria clinic near the Afobaka Dam to observe mobile malaria service delivery models for hard-to-reach populations. A visit to a medical mission clinic was also scheduled to learn more about community-based malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr. Yafflo Ouattara, PAHO Director in Suriname, emphasized that regional collaboration is not optional, but essential. This visit reflects the partnership needed to maintain malaria elimination in Suriname and accelerate progress in Guyana. This exchange offers a great opportunity to learn from each other. “The knowledge you gain here can inspire new strategies at home, and your insights will also help us maintain the high level of vigilance needed to protect Suriname’s malaria-free status. The lessons learned will be crucial for the entire region,” said Ouattara in the statement.