New Delhi, Dec 25 (NationPress) The government has announced a staggering reduction of about 80% in malaria cases and fatalities from 2015 to 2023, with reported cases decreasing from 11,69,261 in 2015 to 2,27,564 in 2023. The number of deaths also saw a decline from 384 to only 83 as India sets its sights on achieving a malaria-free status by 2030.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in 2023, zero malaria cases were reported in 122 districts across different states.
At the time of India’s independence in 1947, malaria was a significant public health crisis, with approximately 7.5 crore cases annually and 800,000 deaths.
Over the years, continuous efforts have led to a dramatic reduction of over 97% in these figures, with cases falling to just 2 million and deaths dropping to 83 by 2023.
The latest World Malaria Report 2024, released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), acknowledges India’s notable advancements.
India's progress features a substantial decrease in both malaria cases and malaria-related fatalities between 2017 and 2023.
“This achievement is further highlighted by India’s exit from the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s battle against malaria. These results showcase the effectiveness of India’s public health measures and its goal of achieving malaria-free status by 2030,” stated the ministry.
From 2015 to 2023, several states transitioned from the high-burden category to a significantly lower or zero-burden category.
In 2015, 10 states and Union Territories were identified as high burden (Category 3). By 2023, only two states (Mizoram and Tripura) remain in Category 3, while four states, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya, have successfully reduced their caseload and moved to Category 2.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have also significantly lowered their caseload, moving to Category 1 in 2023.
Concurrently, enhanced surveillance efforts have led to a marked rise in the Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER), increasing from 9.58 in 2015 to 11.62 in 2023. This improved surveillance has facilitated early detection, timely intervention, and more effective treatment, according to the government.
Integrated Vector Management (IVM) has been central to India’s malaria control initiatives. Tactics such as Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) have significantly diminished mosquito populations and interrupted the transmission cycle.
The focused management of the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito has also strengthened urban malaria control efforts, as noted by the ministry.
