India has made significant strides in reducing malaria cases, achieving a remarkable 69% drop in both cases and related deaths from 2017 to 2023. The number of malaria cases decreased from 6.4 million in 2017 to just 2 million in 2023. Correspondingly, malaria-related deaths fell from 11,100 to approximately 3,500 during the same period.
In 2024, India exited the High Burden High Incidence (HBHI) group due to the substantial reductions in malaria incidence and mortality observed in high-endemic states. This exit signifies India's progress in combating malaria.
India is committed to eliminating malaria by 2030, adhering to the WHO's Global Technical Strategy (2016-2030). This strategy aims for a minimum 90% reduction in malaria case incidence and deaths, reflecting India's dedication to public health.
Despite the overall progress, several states still bear the highest malaria burden. These states include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh, where targeted interventions are critical.
Historically, Plasmodium vivax was the predominant malaria parasite in India. However, by 2020, Plasmodium falciparum emerged as the dominant strain, accounting for 63.3% of reported cases. This percentage decreased to 57.4% in 2022, indicating evolving trends.
To combat malaria, India has implemented various control methods. The use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) and Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) has proven to be effective strategies in reducing malaria transmission.
The WHO has approved two malaria vaccines: RTS,S (Mosquirix) and R21. While the Serum Institute of India produces the R21 vaccine, it has yet to be included in the country's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Malaria poses severe risks to pregnant women and newborns, including maternal anaemia, stillbirth, and low birth weight. These factors significantly increase the likelihood of perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality.
According to WHO reports, in 2023, there were 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 related deaths worldwide. Notably, around 95% of these deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, highlighting a global health challenge.
Q1. What progress has India made in reducing malaria cases?
Answer: India achieved a 69% reduction in malaria cases from 2017 to 2023, with cases dropping from 6.4 million to 2 million and deaths from 11,100 to 3,500.
Q2. Why did India exit the WHO's HBHI group?
Answer: India exited the High Burden High Incidence group in 2024 due to significant decreases in malaria incidence and mortality in endemic states.
Q3. What is India's goal for malaria elimination?
Answer: India aims to eliminate malaria by 2030, targeting a 90% reduction in case incidence and deaths in line with the WHO's Global Technical Strategy.
Q4. Which states in India report the highest malaria burden?
Answer: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh are the states with the most significant malaria burden in India.
Q5. How does malaria affect pregnant women?
Answer: Malaria during pregnancy can lead to severe complications such as maternal anaemia, stillbirth, and increased risks for both mother and child.
Question 1: What percentage drop in malaria cases has India achieved from 2017 to 2023?
A) 50%
B) 69%
C) 80%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which parasite has become dominant in India as of 2022?
A) Plasmodium vivax
B) Plasmodium malariae
C) Plasmodium falciparum
D) Plasmodium ovale
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: By what year does India aim to eliminate malaria?
A) 2025
B) 2030
C) 2035
D) 2040
Correct Answer: B
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