Malaria Elimination in Iran, Importance and Challenges

Background: the aim of study is to assess the importance andchallenges of malaria elimination (me) in iran’s health system.material: opinion of experts from ministry of health andmedical education and the chancellors of medical universitiesaffected by malaria were gathered using focus group discussionsand in-depth interviews. we asked them about the importance andmain challenges of me in iran.results: main factors on importance of me were: it’s a struggleto reach to equity in the poorest regions of county, preventionof emerging disease in susceptible regions, lowering the cost ofcontrol and its effects on the region’s socioeconomic condition.main challenges were iran’s long border with malaria-endemiccountries pakistan and afghanistan and illegal immigrants,underdevelopment in rural areas, system’s insensitivity anddiagnosis problem due to reduction of cases.conclusion: quantitative and holistic researches are needed forassessing the consequences of me.