New Delhi: India has reduced its new malaria cases by one third, and even crossed the malaria mortality targets of 2020. This was stated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at the High Level Roundtable on “Accelerating the Elimination of Malaria in the South-East Asia Region”, here today. Shri J P Nadda further said that with nearly ¾ of the share of the regional burden, India’s successes have significantly contributed to the reduction of the burden of malaria for the entire South-East Asia region.
Health Ministers from the countries of South Asia Region, Heads of Country Delegations, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO, Deputy Director General Designate also graced the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Shri Nadda said this success comes against the backdrop of the political leadership and support that health programs have received in India. “The commitment to ensure health for every person in India comes from the highest office of the Government. It is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision to see health and development reach to the furthest corners of our country, and use the very latest innovations in technology and implementation science to achieve these outcomes,” the Union Health Minister elaborated.
Shri Nadda stated that that the majority of malaria cases in the country come from the bordering districts, forest and tribal areas, while most of the remaining parts of the country remain malaria free. “Addressing malaria therefore, is not only an issue for India’s aspiration of achieving universal health coverage, but also achieve it with equity, Shri Nadda added
Reiterating the commitment to eliminate Malaria, Shri Nadda stated that the focus on the bordering districts and empowering local authorities with information, tools and knowledge will help malaria reductions in India and its neighbors. The Union Health Minister further said that India as a hub for research and science would also support malaria implementation research, as well as capacity building in health research.
At the function, Shri J P Nadda also launched the book “Addressing the challenge of controlling malaria across international border lines” and unveiled the Regional Action Plan (2017-2030).
The three-day ministerial roundtable on accelerating elimination of malaria in the South-East Asia region is in consonance with the United Nations Assembly Resolution on consolidation and accelerating efforts to control and eliminate malaria.
Also present ate the event were Asia Pacific Leaders Alliance against Malaria, representatives from the Asian Development Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, members of the Strategy Advisory Group for Malaria Elimination and various development partners.
