WHO: The World Health Organization praised malaria progress in the WHO South-East Asia Region on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of continued concerted efforts by Member countries, particularly among vulnerable populations, to ensure equitable access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, according to an official statement.
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 per cent. The Region, home to a quarter of the world’s population, accounted for 1.5 per cent global malaria cases in 2023.
Malaria mortality in the Region are expected to drop by 82.9 percent, from 35,000 in 2000 to 6,000 in 2023. According to the announcement, about 270 million malaria cases and 4,20,000 malaria fatalities were avoided in the region between 2000 and 2023.
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“The development is the result of Member countries’ highest ever political commitment, which has been matched by practical actions and unwavering efforts over the years, down to the subnational level. However, accelerated efforts against malaria must continue in order to eliminate the disease in countries where it still exists and to maintain progress in countries where the disease is on the decline or has been eradicated,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, in a statement.
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal all reduced their malaria caseloads from 2022 to 2023. Three nations showed an increase in cases: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar. Timor-Leste and Bhutan each reported zero indigenous malaria cases.
Overall, the Region is on track to reach the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Technological Strategy (GTS 2016-2030) aim of reducing malaria occurrences and fatalities by 90% by 2030. Since 2015, when the WHO global malaria strategy began, estimated case incidence and fatality rates in the WHO South-East Asia Region have decreased by 61% and 73%, respective.
Maldives and Sri Lanka had been designated by WHO in 2015 and 2016 malaria-free
The Maldives and Sri Lanka were officially declared malaria-free by the WHO in 2015 and 2016, respectively.Timor-Leste has seen no reported cases of indigenous malaria in the past three years. Bhutan recorded no indigenous cases for the second year in a row in 2023, while Nepal reported only 15 indigenous cases.
The Regional Director warned against complacency, saying, “We must not forget that the risk of malaria not only exists but may increase owing to variables such as climate change. According to the statement, we must continue to do all possible to expedite our success against malaria.
The Regional Director stated that achieving a malaria-free future for all requires maintained strong political dedication, strengthening health systems, enhancing surveillance and ensuring important use of data for action, improving coordination between global, regional, and country partners, ensuring the availability and efficacy of existing interventions and approving them with greater community ownership, and advancing an inclusive, whole-of-society approach.
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