The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare held a high-level review meeting to assess India’s progress on eliminating malaria by 2030. The meeting, chaired by Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, brought together senior officials, state health leaders and district administrators from nine high-burden states and union territories.
Progress Made and Current Focus
India has reduced malaria cases and deaths by nearly 80 percent between 2015 and 2025. The number of districts with high malaria burden has fallen from 155 to 33 during this period. Additionally, 160 districts reported zero locally transmitted malaria cases between 2022 and 2025, indicating successful control efforts in those areas.
The 33 remaining high-burden districts are spread across Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. These districts account for 64 percent of all malaria cases and 54 percent of malaria deaths reported in 2025.
Strategy Going Forward
Officials emphasised the need for targeted, location-specific approaches tailored to local conditions in each district and village. States have been asked to implement District Action Plans and Village Action Plans in areas with the highest malaria burden.
The review highlighted three priorities: strengthening early detection and complete treatment of cases, improving surveillance systems to catch transmission quickly, and ensuring uninterrupted supply of diagnostic tests and medicines, especially in remote and vulnerable areas. Officials noted that delays in diagnosis and treatment remain a significant cause of malaria deaths.
The ministry also stressed the importance of working with other government departments on environmental management, water control and mosquito breeding site reduction. Panchayati Raj institutions, self-help groups and community volunteers will be engaged to help identify breeding sites and encourage early reporting of fever cases.
What This Means for You
If you live in one of the 33 high-burden districts, you can expect more focused malaria prevention efforts, better access to testing and treatment, and increased community involvement in disease control. Those living in areas already declared malaria-free will continue monitoring to prevent the disease’s return. Healthcare workers in affected districts will receive greater support and resources to strengthen detection and treatment programmes.