WHO Announces Timor Leste Officially Free From Malaria

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially announced that Timor Leste is free from malaria cases. With this success, Timor Leste became the 47th country to receive malaria-free certification from WHO.

As is known, Timor Leste has made eradicating malaria their top priority since 2002. Success in 2025 finally proves that malaria can be stopped with intelligent intervention and dedicated medical personnel.

Timor Leste's success proves that malaria can be stopped when strong political will, smart intervention, sustainable domestic and external investment, and dedicated health workers unite, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, quoted from the WHO's official website, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

The peak of malaria cases in Timor Leste has reached 223,000 cases in 2006. However, thanks to the national program established since 2003, the country has succeeded in reducing the number of cases to zero transmission since 2021.

The handling program includes distribution of insecticide nets, spraying in-door insecticides, and expanding diagnostics using microscopy and rapid tests at all health posts.

Not only that, this malaria-free success also shows the importance of strong cooperation between the Ministry of Health, WHO, local communities, and various other sectors.

The Timor Leste malaria-free certification is a decisive national victory, driven by bold leadership, the hard work of health workers, and the firmness of the people, concluded the WHO representative for Timor Leste, Dr. Arvind aired.