Malaria diagnostic, care and treatment services for malaria patients are free of charge in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the country has adopted an approach in the provision of these services to both Iranians and non-Iranians alike.
Statistics show that in only three provinces of Shiraz, Zahedan and Bandar Abbas, 578 health houses and health centers are equipped with Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) kits and out of a total of over 2.8 million population that are insured over 125,000 are Afghans – out of which around 50% are in rural settings.
This intervention can save the life of people and prevent the reintroduction of malaria transmission in cleared up foci through timely and effective diagnosis.
The reports of positive cases diagnosed by RDT kit In Shiraz, Zahedan and Bandar Abbas provinces in 2014 indicate the highest number of positive cases were among Afghans and Pakistani seasonal workers.
Other services available to Afghans and Pakistanis – who are living in Iran – includes providing Long Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs). Based on received reports from the field, around 30% of distributed LLINS in 2013 in Ahvaz, Zahedan and Bandar Abbas provinces were allocated to them.