ISLAMABAD – The Directorate of Malaria Control Pakistan on Saturday released the results of the country’s first G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) pilot project aimed at improving malaria treatment protocols in high-risk districts.
According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, a meeting on malaria prevention was held where the Directorate of Malaria Control, in collaboration with the global health organization Medicines for Malaria Venture, presented findings from the pilot project conducted across nine malaria-affected districts of Pakistan.
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Global Fund, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and other national and international stakeholders attended the meeting.
Director of the National Malaria Control Programme, Dr. Mukhtar Bharth, briefed the participants and explained that G6PD testing can be effectively integrated into Pakistan’s primary healthcare system. The pilot project focused on improving treatment outcomes by ensuring proper diagnosis before prescribing specific anti-malarial drugs.
Dr. Bharth emphasized that the devastating floods of 2022 led to over 2.8 million malaria cases, further highlighting the urgency of strengthening malaria prevention and treatment strategies. He said the results of the G6PD pilot project are being aligned with Pakistan’s national health strategy.
He also explained that previously, malaria patients in Pakistan were treated with a 14-day course of Primaquine.
However, most patients discontinued the medication after just two or three days, leading to incomplete recovery. This global challenge of patients not completing their prescribed course of treatment has hampered malaria eradication efforts.
Dr. Bharth said the introduction of Tafenoquine — a single-dose anti-malarial drug — would mark significant progress in the fight against malaria. Pakistan aims to join the list of countries adopting this drug following comprehensive research and clinical evaluation.
He also announced that Pakistan will host the International Conference on Malaria Elimination in 2026, inviting global scientists, experts, and delegates to share knowledge and strengthen global cooperation in malaria eradication.