India aims to eliminate malaria by 2030, focusing on reducing cases and deaths across the country.
The government announced that India has met key targets to reduce cases and deaths from vector-borne diseases such as malaria, kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) () is responsible for preventing and controlling these diseases. According to the Ministry of Health, India has made substantial progress in reducing the malaria burden. Between 2015 and 2023, “the country has achieved an 80.53 percent reduction in malaria morbidity and a 78.38 percent reduction in malaria mortality,” the Ministry stated. “In 2024 (until October, provisionally), there will be a 13.66 percent increase in malaria cases and a 32.84 percent decrease in malaria deaths,” he added. This year, surveillance has also been increased in 23 states, until October. The Ministry also reported a reduction in 22.18 percent of Kala-azar cases in the country in 2024. Around 421 cases of Kala-azar have been reported as of October. In comparison, 541 cases were reported during the corresponding period in 2023.
Zero Kala-Azar hotspots: India maintains elimination target in endemic blocks
It is important to highlight that the country maintains the elimination goal in “633 endemic blocks” achieved by the end of 2023. The elimination goal can be defined as the annual incidence of less than one case per 10,000 inhabitants at the block level. “The government has achieved ‘zero’ number of endemic blocks reporting more than 1 case of Kala aleja per 10,000 inhabitants at the block level and has maintained the elimination status till date,” the ministry said.
Furthermore, Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis has had 94 percent coverage among the eligible population in 2024. In 2023, MDA campaigns reached 82 percent coverage nationwide. The National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program campaign reported coverage in 1,634 blocks in 159 districts in 13 states. The MDA was carried out in two phases in these areas, the ministry said.
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis (Haatipaon) is a serious, debilitating and disabling disease transmitted through the bite of a culex mosquito. It is a priority tropical disease that the Government of India aims to eliminate before the global target of 2030. “Among 345 endemic districts, 159 districts of 13 states reported a microfilariae (Mf) rate of more than 1 percent and are under the Administration Mass Medications. “said the Ministry.
“Around 3,38,087 morbidity management and disability prevention kits were provided to lymphedema patients and 64,706 hydrocelectomy surgeries were performed,” he added. Japanese encephalitis also recorded a significant achievement in 2024. The Ministry noted that of the 355 districts, 334 have been covered Only 21 more districts will be covered by routine vaccination against Japanese encephalitis, a brain infection. caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus.
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Around 42 districts – Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (7) and West Bengal (26) – have been covered by vaccinating adults against the disease, the ministry said.
Reference:
- National Vector Borne Disease Control Program – (https://dghs.gov.in/content/1364_3_NationalVectorBorneDiseaseControlProgramme.aspx)
Source-IANS
