Ending Malaria in India by 2030: A Comprehensive Overview of Progress, Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

Malaria still has a terrible impact on people's lives, especially in developing countries. According to the world malaria report (2022), the WHO South-East Asia Region accounts for approximately 2% of the worldwide malaria case burden. The incidence of malaria cases in this region has significantly decreased from approximately 18 cases per 1,000 at-risk individuals in 2000 to around three cases per 1,000 at-risk individuals in 2021, representing a remarkable 82% reduction. India was responsible for 79% of the cases in this region. Sri Lanka was declared malaria-free in 2016 and continues to be so. India has made significant strides in lowering its malaria load during the past 15 years towards achieving its goal of ending malaria by 2030. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has implemented a number of strategies and interventions to prevent and control malaria, including rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), and more recent insecticides and larvicides. There is also ongoing research and the development of novel solutions to resistance-related challenges in order to curb the impact of malaria in India. In order to hasten the process of malaria elimination, the essay emphasises the necessity of fair distribution of malaria interventions and cooperative collaborations across public and commercial sectors of government and international organisations. Comprehensive malaria control initiatives in India have made tremendous progress towards the objective of eliminating malaria by 2030, but further investment and collaboration will be necessary to make further progress towards this lofty goal. Key words: “Malaria elimination,” “Integrated Vector Management”, “India”, “Progress and Challenge”