(KPL) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Vientiane on August 25, 2026, between the Department of Communicable Diseases Control (DCDC) under the Ministry of Health and Population Services International (PSI Laos) to implement the project “Promoting Sustainable Malaria Elimination through System Integration in Lao PDR.”

The agreement was signed by Dr. Phonpadith Xangsayarath, Director General of the DCDC, and Ms. Xaichana Phanalasy, Country Director of PSI Laos.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through PSI headquarters, the project will run from August 2026 to February 2028. It aims to integrate malaria surveillance and response systems into the national health system under government management by 2027, while strengthening the use of surveillance data for decision-making, malaria elimination, and prevention of disease re-establishment.

The project will focus on three key areas:

Surveillance integration: Expanding and integrating malaria surveillance nationwide under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, including developing tools, enhancing the DHIS2 dashboard, and training users.

Data-driven decision-making: Strengthening the use of surveillance data through routine reviews and regular Incident Management Team (IMT) meetings.

Preventing re-establishment: Establishing mechanisms to prevent malaria from returning, alongside routine surveillance and response activities.

The partnership marks an important step toward strengthening Laos’ health system and its capacity to use timely, reliable data to guide malaria control and elimination efforts.

It also supports the country’s national goal of eliminating malaria by 2030.

KPL