Kathmandu, Nov. 18 -- The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has been working to declare the country malaria-free from next year. To that effect and for the country to earn malaria-free status, indigenous cases or local transmission of the disease should be brought down to zero, according to the World Health Organisation.

"We would declare the country malaria-free in phases and start province wise. We hope to complete the process in 2022," said Dr Prakash Prasad Shah, section chief at non-transmitted diseases and vector-borne disease control section of the division. "We have already started the preparations for the same."

The division conducted planning meetings in all seven provinces in which focal persons of the concerned agenc...