In an effort to enhance the capacity of the health ministry to address the prevalence of malaria in southeastern regions, the World Health Organization (WHO) in cooperation with the Government of Japan has procured 50,000 malaria rapid diagnostic tests as well as 4,902 mosquito dome tents.

Due to frequent movement between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, the country's southeastern regions are at risk of malaria.

The tests, which provide clear evidence of the presence of malaria parasites in human blood allowing for timely and appropriate treatment, are an essential tool in the fight against malaria, the WHO website announced in a press release on October 24.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s Center for Communicable Disease Control is currently distributing the tests to health centers and hospitals in Sistan-Baluchestan Province through 3 universities of medical sciences, namely Zahedan, Iranshahr and Chabahar – in the Province.

Also, the mosquito dome tents, are designed to provide a mosquito-free resting environment for individuals at risk, particularly vehicle drivers who frequently travel between the 3 countries, border guards, and health care workers stationed in high-risk areas.