By granting this status, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said, “WHO congratulates the people and government of Belize and their network of global and local partners for this achievement, ” adding that Belize is another example of how, with the right tools and the right approach, we can dream of a malaria-free future.”

Belize is the third country to be granted malaria-free certification in 2023, following Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in March, already granted by WHO to 42 countries and one territory, including 11 in the Americas.

“Following the achievement of Paraguay, Argentina, and El Salvador, Belize today becomes the fourth country in the Americas and the second in Central America to be certified as free of malaria over the last 5 years,” said Jarbas Barbosa.

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