New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the progress made in the fight against malaria in the South-East Asia Region, while urging continued efforts to eliminate the disease and ensure equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for vulnerable populations.
According to the World Malaria Report 2024, 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 just 1.5% of global malaria cases in 2023. Malaria-related deaths dropped by 82.9%, from 35,000 in 2000 to 6,000 in 2023. Over 270 million malaria cases and 420,000 malaria deaths were 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—Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal—achieved a reduction in malaria cases, while three countries—Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar—reported an increase in cases. Timor-Leste and Bhutan reported zero indigenous malaria cases.
The Region remains on track to meet the WHO's Global Technical Strategy (GTS) targets to reduce malaria cases and deaths by at least 90% by 2030. Since 2015, malaria incidence and death rates in the Region have dropped by 61% and 73%, respectively.
Maldives and Sri Lanka were certified malaria-free by WHO in 2015 and 2016, while Timor-Leste has not reported any indigenous cases for three years. Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases for the second consecutive year in 2023, and Nepal recorded only 15 cases.
“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,” cautioned Wazed.
To achieve a malaria-free future, continued political commitment, strengthening health systems, enhancing surveillance, ensuring strategic use of data for action, improving coordination between global, regional, and country partners, and adopting a whole-of-society approach are key, the Regional Director concluded.