The World Health Organisation’s South East Asia Region contributes about 1.5% of the burden of malaria cases globally and India accounted for about half of all estimated cases in 2023, followed by Indonesia, which carried just under one-third. Estimated malaria deaths in the region fell by 82.9%, from 35,000 in 2000 to 6,000 in 2023. Together, India and Indonesia accounted for about 88% of malaria deaths in the Region.
This according to the WHO’s latest World Malaria Report (2024) released on Wednesday (December 11, 2024).
The report notes that since 2000 the WHO South-East Asia Region has made remarkable progress against malaria and estimated malaria cases in the region fell from 22.8 million in 2000 to 4 million in 2023 – a reduction of 82.4%.
India reported significant reduction in malaria caseload
“In the period 2022-2023, four countries achieved reductions in their malaria caseload — Bangladesh (-9.2%), India (-9.6%), Indonesia (-5.7%) and Nepal (-58.3%). Meanwhile, three countries saw case increases — Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (+47.9%), Thailand (+46.4%) and Myanmar (45.1%). In 2023, both Timor-Leste and Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases of malaria. With the exception of Myanmar and Thailand, all countries reported either a decline in their malaria mortality rate or zero malaria deaths.
A reduction in case incidence of 87% was achieved between 2000 and 2023, from 17.7 to 2.3 per 1000 population at risk.
“These gains have been largely attributed to progress in India, which saw 17.7 million fewer estimated cases and a 93% decrease in case incidence since 2000,’’ the report said.
Meanwhile, new data from the WHO revealed that an estimated 2.2 billion cases of malaria and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, but the disease remains a serious global health threat, particularly in the WHO African Region.
According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2023. This represents about 11 million more cases in 2023 compared to 2022, and nearly the same number of deaths. Approximately 95% of the deaths occurred in the WHO African Region, where many at risk still lack access to the services they need to prevent, detect and treat the disease.
“No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
He added that an expanded package of lifesaving tools now offers better protection against the disease, but stepped-up investments and action in high-burden African countries are needed to curb the threat.
44 countries and one territory declared malaria-free
As of November 2024, 44 countries and one territory had been certified malaria-free by WHO, and many more are steadily progressing towards the goal. Of the 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 countries now report fewer than 10 cases of malaria a year, an increase from 4 countries in 2000.
WHO adds that funding remains a major barrier to future progress. “In 2023, total funding reached an estimated US$ 4 billion, falling far short of the year’s funding target of US$ 8.3 billion set by the Global technical strategy. Insufficient funding has led to major gaps in coverage of insecticide-treated nets, medicines, and other life-saving tools, particularly for those most vulnerable to the disease,’’ said the report.
Beyond funding, malaria-endemic countries continue to grapple with fragile health systems, weak surveillance, and rising biological threats, such as drug and insecticide resistance.
In many areas, conflict, violence, natural disasters, climate change and population displacement are exacerbating already pervasive health inequities faced by people at higher risk of malaria, including pregnant women and girls, children aged under 5 years, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, persons with disabilities, and people in remote areas with limited healthcare access.
WHO is now calling for investments in robust data systems that are capable of monitoring health inequalities, including through the collection and analysis of data disaggregated by sex, age and other social stratifiers.
“Equity, gender equality and human rights should be the cornerstones of antimalarial innovation, with people most impacted by the disease engaged in the design and evaluation of new tools and approaches,’’ the report said.
Published – December 11, 2024 01:36 pm IST
