World Malaria Report 2024

Context: The 2024 World Malaria Report released by WHO highlights India's significant progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality.

Malaria Overview

About:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• It is preventable and curable, commonly found in tropical regions.

Transmission:

• Malaria is not contagious; it spreads only through mosquito bites.
• Among the five Plasmodium species infecting humans, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most dangerous.

Key Highlights of WHO’s World Malaria Report 2024

Global Burden (2023):

• Cases: 263 million.
• Deaths: 597,000.
• Africa's Share: 95% of global deaths, primarily affecting young children and pregnant women.

Global Progress Since 2000:

• Averted: 2.2 billion cases and 12.7 million deaths.
• Improvement: Malaria incidence has dropped significantly in many regions.

Malaria-Free Certification:

• 44 countries and one territory (e.g., Egypt) are certified malaria-free as of November 2024.
• Certification requires three consecutive years of zero indigenous cases.
• 25 countries now report fewer than 10 cases annually, compared to 4 in 2000.

Country-Specific Trends (2022–2023):

• Decreases in Cases: Nepal (-58.3%), India (-9.6%), Bangladesh (-9.2%), Indonesia (-5.7%).
• Increases in Cases: North Korea (+47.9%), Thailand (+46.4%), Myanmar (+45.1%).
• Zero Indigenous Cases: Timor-Leste and Bhutan in 2023.

South-East Asia’s Role in Reduction:

• The region contributed only 1.5% of global cases in 2023.
• Malaria cases dropped by 82.4% (2000–2023), and deaths by 82.9%.
• India and Indonesia accounted for 88% of malaria deaths in the region.

Challenges

In Africa:

• Africa remains the most affected region, bearing the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths.

Funding and Systemic Issues:

• 2023 funding ($4 billion) fell short of the $8.3 billion target.
• Gaps in essential resources such as insecticide-treated nets, medicines, and surveillance tools persist.
• Other barriers include weak health systems, drug resistance, conflicts, and climate change.

Recommendations:

• Strengthen data systems, ensuring disaggregated data by sex, age, and social factors.
• Promote equity, gender equality, and community-driven innovations.
• Prioritize investments and targeted interventions in high-burden areas.

India-Specific Achievements

Exiting HBHI Group:

• India exited the High-Burden-High-Impact (HBHI) group after reducing malaria cases by 69% (6.4 million in 2017 to 2 million in 2023).
• Malaria deaths decreased by 68% (11,100 to 3,500).

Key Strategies for Success:

• Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy (ACT): A dual-action treatment targeting parasites.
• Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN): Widely used to block and kill mosquitoes.
• Targeted Interventions: Focused efforts in tribal and forested regions (e.g., Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh).
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular assessments ensured effective implementation.

Call to Action

WHO urges increased investments, innovative solutions, and focused measures to sustain progress, particularly in high-burden regions like Africa.