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The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded the significant progress made against malaria in the South-East Asia Region, while emphasizing the need for continued concerted efforts by Member countries. WHO has called for a focus on vulnerable populations to ensure equitable access to malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to the World Malaria Report 2024, estimated malaria cases in the region dropped from 22.8 million in 2000 to 4 million in 2023, marking a remarkable reduction of 82.4%. The region, which is home to a quarter of the world’s population, accounted for just 1.5% of global malaria cases in 2023. Estimated malaria deaths also fell by 82.9%, from 35,000 in 2000 to 6,000 in 2023. More than 270 million malaria cases and 420,000 deaths have been averted in the region between 2000 and 2023.
“The progress follows the 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 in the region achieved a reduction in their malaria caseload: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Three countries saw an increase in cases: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar. Timor-Leste and Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases of malaria.
Overall, the region remains on track to reach WHO’s Global Technical Strategy (GTS 2016-2030) targets to reduce malaria case incidence and deaths by at least 90% by 2030. Since 2015, the baseline of the WHO global malaria strategy, estimated case incidence and death rates have fallen in the WHO South-East Asia Region by 61% and 73%, respectively.
Maldives and Sri Lanka were certified malaria-free by WHO in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Timor-Leste has not reported any indigenous malaria cases for three years. Bhutan reported zero indigenous cases for the second consecutive year in 2023, and Nepal reported only 15 indigenous cases.
Cautioning against complacency, the Regional Director said, “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.”
Continued strong political commitment, strengthening health systems, enhancing surveillance, ensuring strategic use of data for action, improving coordination between global, regional, and country partners, ensuring accessibility and quality of existing interventions, and advancing an inclusive, whole-of-society approach are key to achieving a malaria-free future for all, the Regional Director said.
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