Lauding
progress being made against malaria in WHO South-East Asia Region, the World
Health Organization today emphasized on continue concerted efforts by Member
countries, focusing on the vulnerable population, to ensure equitable access to
malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
As
per the World Malaria Report 2024, estimated malaria cases in the Region fell
from 22.8 million in 2000 to 4 million in 2023 – a reduction of 82.4%. The
Region, home to a quarter of the world’s population, accounted for 1.5% global malaria
cases in 2023. Estimated malaria deaths in the Region fell by 82.9%, from 35
000 in 2000 to 6000 in 2023. More than 270 million malaria cases and 420 000
malaria deaths have been averted in the Region between 2000 and 2023.
“The
progress follows highest ever political commitment by Member countries, matched
by tangible actions and unstinted efforts over the years down to the
sub-national level. However, accelerated efforts against malaria must continue - to
eliminate the disease in countries where malaria persists, and to sustain the
progress in countries where the disease is on the decline or has been
eliminated,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.
In
2022-2023, four countries in the Region achieved reduction in their malaria
caseload - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia
and Nepal. Three countries saw increase in cases - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,
Thailand and Myanmar. Timor-Leste and
Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases of malaria.
Overall,
the Region remains on track to reach the WHO’s
Global Technical Strategy (GTS 2016-2030) targets to reduce malaria case incidence and deaths
by at least 90% by 2030. Since 2015, the baseline of the WHO
global malaria strategy, estimated case incidence and death rates have fallen
in the WHO South-East Asia Region by 61% and 73%, respectively.
Two
countries in the Region – Maldives and Sri Lanka were certified malaria-free by
WHO in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Timor-Leste has not reported any case of
indigenous malaria for three years. Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases for
the second consecutive year in 2023, and Nepal reported only 15 indigenous
cases.
Cautioning
against any complacency, the Regional Director said, “We must not forget that
the risk of malaria not only persists but could increase due to factors such as
climate change. We must continue to do all we can to accelerate our progress
against malaria.”
Continued
strong political commitment; strengthening health systems; enhancing
surveillance and ensuring strategic use of data for action; improving coordination
between global, regional, and country partners; ensuring
accessibility and quality of existing interventions and their acceptability
with greater community ownership, and advancing an inclusive, whole-of-society
approach are key to achieving a malaria-free future for all, the Regional
Director said.
To
know more read the World Malaria Report here - World malaria report 2024