On Thursday, a high-level review meeting on the increasing cases of dengue and malaria cases in the country was chaired by Union Health Minister JP Nadda. He urged states and Union Territories to be alert and increase preventive actions during this high risk season whereby, many insect-borne diseases have increased as a result of extensive rainfall and water stagnation.
According to the health ministry Nadda reviewed the situation and noted that there was a pressing need to organize work across states, local bodies and local communities. He urged state health ministers to visit the ground and come up with action plans in 20 days. Municipalities, panchayats and local authorities were urged to increase awareness, involvement of communities and clean up exercises to reduce breeding of mosquitoes. Hospitals, including those of the central government, were told to make sure that the necessary supply of drugs, diagnostic kits, beds and mosquito free premises were in place.
Special advice was also given to all the chief ministers and this time there was high alert. Nadda emphasized the roles of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns as well as social media outreach to promote personal protection and involvement of communities. An independent high level Delhi and NCR review was also commissioned because the number of cases was increasing in the area.
The minister pointed out that India has recorded significant gains in curbing malaria burden. Based on the year 2015 to 2024, the incidence of malaria decreased with over 78 percent and deaths caused by malaria also decreased by approximately 78 percent. Moreover, 160 districts have reported zero cases of malaria 2022-2024 and 33 states and UTs have reached an Annual Parasite Incidence of below one.
The government has established an objective of ensuring that the country has eradicated malaria by 2030 through its National Strategic Plan (2023-27). Strategies, including real-time surveillance using the Integrated Health Management Platform, incentives given to ASHA workers, insecticidal net distributions, and refresher trainings are being increased to maintain the gains.
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