.svg)
This summary draws from an exclusive The Hindu Business Line feature. The full article is available to subscribers here.
India has sustained steady progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths over the years, however, the country now stands at a decisive juncture in its elimination journey. Achieving the Malaria Mukt Bharat ("Malaria-free India") ambition by 2030 will require renewed focus, and the upcoming National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023–2027) presents a strategic opportunity to recalibrate the national elimination strategy, particularly in strengthening last-mile delivery of diagnostics, treatment and preventive interventions. This is especially important against a backdrop of overall progress that masks a disproportionate burden and persistent transmission in tribal and remote districts.
A key focus in the years ahead must involve strengthening systems at the district level, where malaria elimination interventions are ultimately delivered. This includes improving primary health infrastructure for early case detection, leveraging health and welfare centres (HWC) for localised diagnosis and treatment, and strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers. At the district and state levels, health workers also play a critical role in strengthening surveillance and case management through the implementation of the 1‑3‑7 strategy — ensuring cases are notified within one day, investigated within three days, with an in-depth investigation conducted within seven days. Together, these measures strengthen data quality and will enable the timely deployment of targeted interventions, as well as the validation and certification of zero indigenous cases — all of which are essential to sustaining meaningful progress towards achieving elimination.
At the same time, malaria elimination must extend beyond the health sector. Coordinated inter-agency action — particularly involving the Ministries of Tribal Affairs; Rural Development; Housing and Urban Affairs; and Drinking Water and Sanitation - will be critical to addressing the diverse factors driving persistent transmission in remote and tribal districts, ensuring that last‑mile communities are not left behind.
