Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are successfully reducing the burden of malaria. Since 2010, there has been a reported 86% decline in cases and 97% decline in deaths. Between 2019 and 2020 alone, the GMS region experienced a 47% decline in malaria cases. In the GMS, 40\u201378% of the population first seek health care in the private sector, so to achieve malaria elimination, sustained private sector engagement is needed throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PSI\u2019s GEMS+ program strengthens private sector case management and surveillance to accelerate malaria elimination in the Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Despite significant challenges to operating within the context of COVID-19 and the political upheaval faced in Myanmar, GEMS+ worked within all three countries to manage and provide high-quality support to the private sector network while engaging national and subnational NMPs to integrate the private sector into national malaria elimination management structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After two years of operating within the context of COVID-19, the full impact of the pandemic on malaria elimination is still unknown. However, the resilience of the malaria elimination efforts in the GMS has been tested. Across the region, we continue to witness a decline in malaria cases and deaths as well as program implementation adaptations that strive to ensure that those most at risk of malaria have access to quality case management and treatment wherever they choose to seek care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n