30 imported malaria cases have been detected this year. Last year’s historic milestone followed nearly 70 years of commitment by the government and people of Suriname to eliminate the disease across its vast rainforests and diverse communities.

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.

The increase in the number of imported malaria cases in Suriname is therefore cause for concern as it also poses a threat to Tourism. “It is therefore of great importance to detect and address these cases swiftly”, said the Ministry of Labor, Wellbeing and Labor (VWA).

On February 23rd, 2026 the government established a commission for the Prevention of the Reintroduction of Malaria in Suriname. In the past the commission which tackled malaria was known as the Malaria Elimination Taskforce. The Health Ministry expressed concern regarding the growing number of imported malaria cases and made it clear that each imported case can result in new infections.

The malaria program provides free lab tests, free medication and impregnated mosquito nets but it also organizes training sessions to health workers and Malaria Service Deliverers. The Malaria Service Deliverers are active in the places where prospectors search for gold and just like the network of the MZ they also play an important role in tracking down malaria cases. On World Malaria Day 2026, the World Health Organization joined partners to launch the campaign: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.” This is a rallying cry to grasp the moment—to protect lives now and fund a malaria-free future. The WHO recently announced that since 2000, 2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths have been averted. To date, 47 countries have been certified malaria-free (of which two in 2024 and three in 2025), while 37 countries reported fewer than 1000 cases in 2024.