India is on track to become malaria-free by 2030, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The country has made impressive progress in reducing malaria cases. The decline was seen from 75 million at independence in 1947 to just 2 million in 2023. Malaria-related deaths have dropped dramatically, from 800,000 annually to only 83 last year with a staggering 99.99% decline.
The Health Ministry’s statement highlights the country’s relentless efforts over the past 75 years to combat malaria. At the time of independence, malaria was widespread, affecting millions each year. Today, India has emerged as a global leader, having exited the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group, as reported in the World Malaria Report 2024.
“India’s journey toward a malaria-free future is a story of remarkable transformation and progress. At the time of independence in 1947, malaria was one of the most pressing public health challenges. Malaria caused around 7.5 crore cases annually and 800,000 deaths. Over the decades, relentless efforts have drastically reduced these numbers by over 97%. It is seen that the cases are declining to just 2 million and deaths are plummeting to just 83 by 2023. This historic achievement underscores India’s commitment to eliminating Malaria and improving public health for its citizens,” said the health ministry statement.
India aims to eradicate malaria by 2030, with significant advancements in public health interventions and disease management. The progress is reflected in the reduction of new malaria cases by 80% from 2015 to 2023, dropping from 1,169,261 to 227,564. In 2023, 122 districts reported zero new malaria cases. No new cases were reported from 122 India districts.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s latest World Malaria Report 2024, reported India’s exit from the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024 owing to the sharp reduction in numbers, signifying a turning point in India’s fight against malaria.
States like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya have significantly reduced their malaria burden, and have moved to Category 2. Regions such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli now report fewer than one case per 1,000 people annually. Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry have reached Category 0, with no indigenous malaria cases, qualifying for subnational elimination verification. The number of deaths has also fallen from 384 in 2015 to 83 in 2023.
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Also, four other states— Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli— have significantly reduced the caseload and moved to category 1 in 2023. In 2015, only 15 states were in category 1, whereas in 2023, 24 states and UTs progressed from high or medium-burden categories to category 1, reporting an annual parasite incidence of less than 1 case per 1,000 population. As of 2023, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry are in Category 0 signifying zero indigenous malaria cases. These areas are now eligible for subnational verification of malaria elimination, said the health ministry.
This success is due to India’s comprehensive strategy, including enhanced surveillance, early detection, timely interventions, and improved treatment protocols. Moreover with continued efforts, India’s progress towards a malaria-free future stands as a testament to its dedication to public health and tackling endemic diseases.
