India's Malaria Elimination Goals

India has set an ambitious target to eliminate Malaria by 2030, with an interim goal of achieving zero Indigenous cases by 2027.

Progress and Achievements

• Malaria cases have decreased from 1.17 million in 2015 to approximately 227,000 in 2024, marking an 80-85% reduction.
• Malaria-related deaths have reduced from 384 to around 83, a 78% decrease.
• 92% of districts now report an Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of less than 1, indicating India is largely in the pre-elimination phase.

Factors Contributing to Progress

• Enhanced surveillance and expanded access to diagnosis and treatment.
• Targeted vector control interventions.
• Sustained political and programmatic commitment at national and sub-national levels.

Challenges in the Elimination Phase

The transition from malaria control to elimination has brought new challenges:

• Malaria is now concentrated in limited pockets due to local ecology, human mobility, and other factors.
• Urban areas face unique issues such as container breeding and fragmented healthcare delivery.
• Operational challenges include inconsistent private-sector reporting and limited entomological capacity.
• Cross-border transmission from Myanmar and Bangladesh affects border districts in the Northeast.

Strategies for Overcoming Challenges

• City-specific vector control and surveillance strategies.
• Strengthening surveillance systems and enhancing vector monitoring.
• Improving supply chain reliability for diagnostics and treatment commodities.