India has achieved significant progress in controlling malaria, successfully reducing mortality rates and exiting the High-Burden-High-Impact (HBHI) group of endemic countries, as per the latest World Malaria Report released on December 11, 2024.
Between 2017 and 2023, India reduced malaria cases by 69%, from 6.4 million to 2 million. Similarly, malaria-related deaths declined by the same percentage, dropping from an estimated 11,100 to 3,500. The annual World Malaria Report serves as a crucial resource for assessing global progress in malaria prevention and elimination, covering 83 countries.
“India’s success in reducing its malaria burden is attributed to its multi-sectoral strategy and strong political commitment,” stated Dr. Daniel Madandi, Director of the Global Malaria Programme. While acknowledging the steady progress, he added, “It’s never as rapid as we’d prefer, and there are still challenges, but the overall trends are encouraging.” Dr. Arnaud Le Menach, the report’s lead author and head of the Strategic Information for Response unit at WHO, highlighted that along with India, nations like Rwanda and Liberia have also achieved significant reductions in malaria cases.
Dr. Rajni Kant Srivastava, Chair for Disease Elimination at the Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr), credited India’s progress in malaria control to the adoption of Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN). ACT works effectively by using artemisinin to eliminate the majority of malaria parasites by targeting a specific protein, while the partner drug removes the remaining parasites.
LLINs serve a dual purpose: they physically block mosquitoes from biting individuals and kill them with their insecticidal coating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that when over half of a community uses insecticide-treated nets, both the mosquito population and their lifespan decrease significantly.
Robust monitoring and evaluation systems have improved case management, especially in forested and tribal regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the North-East. The former founder-director of the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Gorakhpur, highlighted the role of these tools in achieving substantial outcomes. The report further states that targeted interventions have enhanced access to diagnostics, treatments, and essential medications. Moreover, newer insecticide-treated nets, which offer superior protection compared to conventional pyrethroid-only nets, are being introduced on a larger scale.
Government Initiatives and Strategies
India’s success in combating malaria is attributed to a multi-pronged approach that includes:
- Strengthening Vector Control Measures: The distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and other vector control interventions have played a pivotal role in reducing mosquito populations.
- Improved Diagnostics and Treatment: The introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and increased access to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have significantly enhanced the detection and treatment of malaria.
- Community Engagement: Public awareness campaigns, often leveraging grassroots organizations and local health workers, have educated communities about preventive measures and early treatment.
- Integrated Health Services: Malaria control programs have been integrated with broader health services to ensure seamless delivery, especially in remote and tribal areas where malaria prevalence was historically high.
