Thimpu: The Bhutanese government is targeting to eliminate malaria by 2025.

The government has set the deadline for itself after missing it in the previous two occasions of 2018 and 2020.

According to the health minister, cross-border issues in the south especially during the COVID-19 pandemic have hampered the country’s progress in achieving the status. Bhutan recorded nine malaria cases last year but the ministry is reviewing if those cases were from the community, reportsThe Bhutan Live.

Elimination of malaria does not mean total eradication of malaria. According to the Health Minister, malaria elimination status is achieved when the country does not report any indigenous or community cases, the news portal reported.

This means even if the country achieves malaria elimination status, there could still be imported malaria cases.

The minister  Dasho Dechen Wangmo  was quoted as saying by The Bhutan Live that  the health officials are investigating every malaria case followed by contact tracing, and a survey among others. The ministry also reportedly strengthened coordination with India besides intensifying measures to achieve the target.

“We also had a series of discussions of the cross border because malaria is sort of endemic in the south. Also, there are lots of cross-border issues with malaria. So, we have a good partnership with GoI in the elimination of malaria. So, to eliminate, all these activities also need to be intensified on both sides of the countries," the minister said.