Malaria set to be notifiable disease across India even as cases show a decline
- Malaria is all set to become a notifiable disease across India
- States like Bihar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya are also in the process of putting the vector-borne disease in the category.
- This will require by law that cases be reported to government authorities.
- Currently, malaria is a notifiable disease in 33 States and Union Territories in India.
Reasons for declaring it a notifiable disease
- The objective is to eliminate the disease by 2030 as a part of India’s vision to be malaria-free by 2027
- The Health Ministry has also initiated a joint action plan with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for malaria elimination in tribal areas.
Status of Malaria in India
- It is not just a public health issue but also a social, economic, and political challenge that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
- India is the only high-burden, high-impact country in the southeast Asia region to report a decline in malaria cases in 2020 as compared to 2019.
- India witnessed a 85.1% decline in malaria cases and 83.36% decline in deaths during 2015-2022.
- There is now availability of near-real time data monitoring through an integrated health information platform (HIP-Malaria Portal)
- Periodic regional review meetings are held to keep a check on malaria growth across India.
Suggestions to check spread of disease
- Countries affected by malaria should accelerate the reach of high-impact tools and strategies to prevent, detect and treat it.
- Intensified efforts must be made to reach at-risk and vulnerable populations with currently available strategies and tools.
Prelims Take away
- Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Notified diseases