Rajya Sabha
There has been decline in the number of malaria positive cases over the years as is evident from the epidemiological data appended below: -
| Year | Malaria Cases | Deaths |
| 2002 | 1841229 | 973 |
| 2003 | 1869403 | 1006 |
| 2004 | 1915363 | 949 |
| 2005 | 1816342 | 963 |
| 2006* | 1668798 | 1487 |
* Provisional (upto December)
Government of India is implementing the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme including malaria that includes three pronged strategies namely, (i) Disease Management including early case detection and prompt treatment, strengthening of referral services, epidemic preparedness and rapid response (ii) Integrated Vector Management including indoor residual spraying with insecticide in selected high risk areas, use of insecticide treated bed nets, promotion of larvivorous fish, use of larvicides and source reduction through minor environmental engineering (iii) Supportive Interventions including Behaviour Change Communication, Public Private Partnership & Inter-sectoral convergence, Human Resource Development through capacity building, operational research including studies on drug resistance and insecticide susceptibility, monitoring and evaluation through periodic reviews/field visits and web based Management Information System.
Rapid diagnostic tests have been introduced for early detection and complete treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In areas resistant to conventional anti-malaria drug Chloroquine, Artesunate + Sulphadoxinepyremethamine combination therapy has been introduced. The supervision and monitoring of the programme has been intensified by involving National Institute of Malaria Research and other Indian Council of Medical Research Institutions.
In high Plasmodium falciparum malaria endemic States including North-Eastern States, Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand, additional support is being given since July 2005 under Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) supported Intensified Malaria Control Project. Support under the World Bank assistance is provided to other high malaria endemic States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Orissa and Jharkhand.
This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
KR/SK/47 - RS