India has achieved remarkable success in combating malaria, a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease, according to the World Malaria Report 2023 released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday. This progress highlights India’s growing effectiveness in managing public health challenges.
Malaria, a preventable and curable disease, is caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a significant health burden in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
The WHO report reveals that the estimated number of malaria cases in India declined dramatically from 6.4 million in 2017 to 2 million in 2023, marking a 69% reduction. Similarly, malaria-related deaths saw a substantial decrease of 68%, from 11,100 fatalities in 2017 to 3,500 in 2023.
As a result of these achievements, India officially exited the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, underscoring the country's commitment to sustainable malaria control.
The HBHI initiative, introduced in India in July 2019, has played a pivotal role in accelerating malaria elimination. Initially launched in four states—Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal—the initiative focused on targeted interventions in regions with high malaria prevalence.
While India accounted for half of all malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2023, Indonesia followed with just under one-third. The region reported approximately 4 million cases in 2023, contributing 1.5% of the global malaria burden.
A broader analysis reveals that malaria cases in India have decreased by 82.4% since 2000, dropping from 22.8 million cases to 2 million in 2023. The incidence rate also fell significantly by 87%, from 17.7 to 2.3 per 1,000 population at risk.
Globally, malaria remains a severe health threat, especially in the WHO African Region. In 2023, an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths were reported worldwide, highlighting the persistent challenges in malaria control.
Bhutan and Timor-Leste have reported zero malaria deaths since 2013 and 2015, respectively.
Sri Lanka achieved malaria-free certification in 2016, setting an example for other countries in the region.
“The decrease can mainly be accounted for by a decrease in India of 17.7 million estimated cases and a decrease in incidence by 93%, from 20 to 1.5 per 1,000 population at risk,” the WHO stated.
Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the importance of continued efforts:
“The progress follows the highest ever political commitment by Member countries, matched by tangible actions and unstinted efforts over the years down to the sub-national level. However, accelerated efforts against malaria must continue to eliminate the disease in countries where malaria persists and sustain progress in regions where the disease is declining or eliminated.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, added:
“An expanded package of lifesaving tools now offers better protection against the disease, but stepped-up investments and action in high-burden countries are needed to curb the threat.”
Despite the significant progress, India and Indonesia together accounted for approximately 88% of malaria-related deaths in the South-East Asia Region in 2023. Sustaining the momentum and addressing challenges in high-burden regions remain critical.
India's success in reducing malaria cases and deaths is a testament to its effective public health strategies and international collaborations. While significant challenges remain, the progress achieved provides a strong foundation for continued efforts toward malaria elimination, both in India and globally.