Leveraging technology will help in developing solutions to advance India’s malaria elimination plan: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

Dr Mandaviya delivers keynote address at Commemoration of World Malaria Day 2022

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare,  during his address to commemorate World Malaria Day 2022 mentioned, “Not only diagnosis and treatment, swachhta in our personal and community surroundings and social awareness regarding Malaria control and prevention are equally important in our collective fight against Malaria and for meeting our goal of elimination of Malaria from the country by 2030. The need is to emphasise progressive strengthening of health care delivery system and improve multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration.”

Every year, 25th April is observed as ‘World Malaria Day’. This year’s theme is “Harness innovation to reduce the global malaria disease burden and save lives.”

Dr Mandaviya called for prioritisation of malaria elimination through national and sub-national efforts. He emphasised that leveraging technology and innovation will help in developing tailor-made solutions to advance India’s malaria elimination plan and contribute to improved health, quality of life and alleviation of poverty. He added that ground level frontline healthcare workers including the ASHAs, ANMs along with partner organisations need to work in tandem for creating mass awareness about diagnosis, timely and effective treatment and vector control measures. He further suggested that the private sector including the private practitioners need to align their malaria case management and reporting and related activities with the national program.

The Union Health Minister also detailed the success made in malaria elimination. “India has made remarkable progress in reducing the malaria incidence and deaths. Our efforts have resulted in 86.45 per cent decline in malaria cases and 79.16 per cent reduction in malaria related deaths in 2021 as compared to 2015. 124 districts in the country have reported ‘zero malaria case’’. This is a major step towards our goal for elimination of malaria but still more needs be done to fulfil the dream of Malaria Free India.”

Dr Bharti Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare highlighted that, “Work is going on a mission mode towards eliminating Malaria by 2030. The Union Government is working with the State Governments on the ground level to reduce the burden of Malaria, including on infrastructure improvement and laboratory support”. She emphasised that if more effort is put in testing and treatment, India will achieve the dream of Malaria eradication by 2030.