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Global Fund Applauds Timor-Leste’s Elimination of Malaria

24 July 2025

GENEVA – Timor-Leste has officially been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate the disease. This certification confirms the successful interruption of indigenous malaria transmission for at least three consecutive years — a significant achievement in the global effort to end malaria.

“Timor-Leste’s success is truly inspiring,” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund). “It shows what’s possible with committed leadership, strategic investment, and strong community engagement. The next challenge is to protect this progress and prevent the re-establishment of malaria.”

To help sustain this milestone, the Global Fund will continue supporting Timor-Leste’s malaria response through 2026, with targeted investments in:

• Preventing malaria reintroduction.
• Strengthening disease surveillance and health systems.
• Supporting community health workers and mobile outreach.
• Promoting integration with other vector-borne disease programs.

Timor-Leste’s path to elimination has been marked by steady progress. Malaria cases dropped from over 223,000 in 2006 to zero in 2022, and no malaria-related deaths have been reported since 2015.

The Global Fund has been a key partner since 2003, helping scale up access to rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), effective antimalarial treatments, and insecticide-treated nets. Community health volunteers have played a vital role in reaching remote areas and ensuring early detection and treatment.

Timor-Leste is also taking proactive steps to ensure long-term sustainability. Over 80% of malaria program staff previously funded by the Global Fund are now supported through domestic resources. The country is also integrating malaria services with other health programs, such as dengue control, to build a more resilient and efficient system.

Timor-Leste’s malaria program continues to work closely with neighboring countries, including Indonesia, to monitor and manage cross-border threats. Regional collaboration and data-sharing are essential to protect malaria-free status across the region.

“Malaria is constantly evolving,” said Sands. “To stay ahead, we need to invest in new tools — next-generation bed nets, diagnostics, and vaccines — and in the systems that deliver them.”

Despite this milestone, malaria remains a global health threat. Climate change is expanding mosquito habitats, and drug and insecticide resistance are rising. The Global Fund is committed to accelerating progress toward global eradication through innovation, partnerships, and sustained investment.

With today’s announcement, WHO has now certified 47 countries and one territory malaria-free. Each has demonstrated that eliminating malaria—and keeping it gone—is possible with the right strategies and support.

The Global Fund provides 65% of all international financing for malaria programs and has invested over US$19.1 billion in malaria control as of June 2024. These efforts are saving lives: in countries where the Global Fund invests, malaria deaths fell by 28% between 2002 and 2022. Without intervention, deaths would have surged by an estimated 90%.