The government of Laos and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently made an agreement for a
$3 million
grant that will support the response efforts against the spread of malaria in the region.
The grant will be solely spent on the fight to eliminate the disease’s drug-resistant strain.
“Malaria is a regional public health threat, and the emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria highlights the need to step up efforts against further spread,” Sandra Nicoll, ADB’s country director in Laos, said. “ADB has been working closely with governments, as well as with development partners and global technical agencies, to fight artemisinin-resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregional countries including [Laos].”
The additional funds will be used to improve and enhance the national malaria programs. Leaders will improve regional communicable disease control (CDC) systems throughout all 12 provinces that are involved in the project. The malaria response as well as surveillance systems will be extended to Attapeu and Champasak, which have at-risk border districts.
In addition, Laos will heighten cross-border activities to better detect potential malaria cases from Cambodia and Vietnam. The information exchange will be improved to better protect Laos residents.
