• The World Health Organisation (WHO)certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free on July 24.

• It is a remarkable achievement for a country that prioritised the disease and embarked on a concerted, nation-wide response shortly after gaining independence in 2002.

• With the latest announcement, a total of 47 countries and one territory have been certified as malaria-free by WHO. 

• Timor-Leste is the third country to be certified in the WHO South-East Asia region, joining Maldives and Sri Lanka which were certified in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

• Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous transmission has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.

• Since gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made remarkable strides in the fight against malaria — reducing cases from a peak of more than 223,000 clinically diagnosed cases in 2006 to zero indigenous cases from 2021 onwards.

Key points about Timor-Leste:

• Timor-Leste is also known as East Timor.

• Timor-Leste became an independent nation in May 2002, following over 400 years of Portuguese colonisation, 24 years of Indonesian occupation, and three years of United Nations transitional administration. 

• Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002 resulted from a UN-sponsored referendum in August 1999.

• The country was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2002, making it Asia’s youngest democracy.

• The country faces the challenge of building a strong democracy and vibrant economy against a background of still-fragile institutions and limited human capital. 

• The capital of Timor-Leste is Dili.

• The resource-rich country of 1.3 million people immediately started the process of accession to ASEAN, but only formally applied for membership in 2011.

• Timor-Leste’s foreign policy places high priority on relationships with its nearest neighbours, Indonesia and Australia, and other neighbours in the region. 

• Timor-Leste also places a high priority on its relations with friendly countries and donors, most notably the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), member states of ASEAN, and the g7+ grouping of fragile and post-conflict states.

Some facts on malaria:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. It is mostly found in tropical countries. It is preventable and curable, and does not spread from person to person.

• It is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors”. 

• There are five parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and two of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat. 

• Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. 

• The first symptoms — fever, headache, and chills — may be mild and difficult to recognise as malaria. If not treated within 24 hours, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness, often leading to death.

• Symptoms usually start within 10-15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.

• Symptoms may be mild for some people, especially for those who have had a malaria infection before. Because some malaria symptoms are not specific, getting tested early is important. 

• Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death. 

• Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. 

Severe symptoms include:

i) Extreme tiredness and fatigue. 

ii) Impaired consciousness

iii) Multiple convulsions

iv) Difficulty breathing

v) Dark or bloody urine

vi) Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) 

vii) Abnormal bleeding.

• Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and by taking medicines.

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