The 9th WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists Successfully Held in Shanghai

In accordance with the "Measures for the Prevention of Re-transmission by Imported Malaria," the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD) under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), also known as the National Center for Tropical Diseases Research, successfully held the 9th WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists (WHO-ECAMM) from May 20 to 24, 2024, in Shanghai. A total of 12 trainees from 12 provinces includingthe Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps participated in the assessment.

 

The WHO Western Pacific Region appointed experts Dr. Warahena Mudalige Kumudunayana Tharangani and Dr. Jhobert Tolentino Bernal to conduct the assessment. The assessment included theoretical tests, slide reading examinations, theoretical lectures, and practical guidance. Based on the assessment results, 4 trainees were awarded Level 1 certificates in microscopy competency, and 4 trainees received Level 2 certificates. The experts noted that, despite the low number of imported malaria cases in these provinces, the overall malaria microscopy competency remains at a high level.

 

Dr. Li Shizhu, Director of the NIPD, attended the closing ceremony of the assessment. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the WHO and the assessment experts for their strong support, congratulated the trainees on their significant improvement in skills, and emphasized the importance of maintaining high-level malaria prevention and control capabilities after malaria elimination in China. He encouraged the trainees to continue their diligent practice upon returning to their posts, to play a greater role as key provincial trainers in building malaria diagnosis capacity and ensuring diagnostic quality across the provinces, thereby contributing to consolidating China's achievements in malaria elimination.

 

This assessment further tested and enhanced the malaria microscopy capabilities of the provinces, expanded the pool of trained microscopy trainers, and laid a foundation for the improvement and sustainable development of China's overall malaria microscopy standards. It will provide crucial technical support for the high-quality prevention of the re-transmission by imported malaria.