When Diagnosis Meets Reality: Operational Performance of Routine Malaria Diagnostics Against Molecular Evidence in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Background

Saudi Arabia has reported no indigenous malaria since 2021 and is in the prevention-of-reintroduction phase, with residual and imported infections concentrated in Jazan and Aseer. At this stage, each reported case triggers programmatic action, yet the operational accuracy of routine facility diagnostics has not been measured in this setting.