PHNOM PENH – Cases of malaria, a life-threatening disease passed on by mosquitoes, fell to 355 in 2024, a big drop from 62,690 in 2011, Prime Minister Hun Manet says. He called for a stronger commitment to end the disease by 2025.

In a letter on April 25, he said the country aims to join the world to eliminate the disease by 2030.

The number has fallen constantly from 62,690 cases and 93 deaths in 2011 to 51,262 cases and ten deaths in 2015, to 23,627 cases and one death in 2016, and to 1,384 cases and no death in 2023.

Last year’s 355 cases were down 75 on 2023, which was a proud indicator for the country’s process towards elimination, Hun Manet said.

He commended the efforts of all stakeholders, especially the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control and the Health Ministry, for their response since the start of the National Strategic Plan for Elimination of Malaria (2011-2025) — initiated by former prime minister Hun Sen.

The country has gradually accomplished targets such as prevention of antimicrobial resistance for malaria in 2015. 

“Responding to malaria requires more encouragement and investment as well as creativity to gather new energy from all aspects — community, government and partners — to successfully end the disease by 2025 in Cambodia and by 2030 in the world,” Hun Manet said.

“However, we cannot let our guard down because to end malaria completely, we must continue our works with physical and spiritual efforts and resources. This is to ensure the number of cases will not increase again and to prevent infection from abroad.”

It was crucial to continue spreading awareness of providing funding investment, research studies, diagnosis, treatments, infectious agents control and national-international cooperation.

This would strengthen and spread understanding and promote public health, especially among high-risk, hard-to-reach populations, including those living and working in remote, forested or mountain areas.

Every stakeholder’s contribution was essential in enhancing people’s welfare, which was necessary for socio-economic development, the Prime Minister said, calling on people to be responsible in cooperating to end malaria by the end of the year.

This year, the World Malaria Day is held under the theme “Malaria ends with us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, aiming to accelerate the eradication of the disease through enhancing, paying attention, jointly taking responsibility and gathering more resources.