World Malaria Day: Why India's fight against malaria requires more than just medicine

India has made remarkable progress in reducing its malaria burden, with official data showing an almost 80% decline in cases between 2015 and 2023. Figures from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveal that reported infections dropped from over 1.1 million in 2015 to approximately 227,000 last year. Malaria-related deaths have also seen a steep fall—from several hundred annually to just 83 in 2023.

The World Health Organization commended India for sustaining its anti-malaria efforts even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health systems were stretched thin.

However, despite the progress, health experts warn that complacency could derail the gains. Misdiagnosis and treatment delays continue to be major roadblocks in malaria control, particularly in rural and remote regions. They stress that early and accurate detection remains critical to preventing severe complications and halting transmission.

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While elimination may be within reach, experts say it will require continued investment, community awareness, and robust diagnostic infrastructure to truly put malaria behind us.

One of the most pressing issues remains the timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease. While Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and microscopy are the standard tools for detection, their use is often inconsistent, especially in under-resourced or unregulated healthcare settings.

Timely, accurate diagnosis remains a major hurdle

“Testing is still patchy in many parts of the country. In remote and tribal areas, where malaria remains endemic, patients are often treated symptomatically without lab confirmation. Many cases are misclassified as viral fevers or not diagnosed at all. This diagnostic gap allows the disease to persist silently. Many new and fast tests are now available for easier malaria diagnosis, such as RDTs (card tests), and even some cell counters can indicate infected RBCs on their screens,” said Dr Sunita Kapoor, Director & Laboratory Head, City X-Ray and Scan Clinic Pvt. Ltd.

“Microscopy, still considered the gold standard for malaria diagnosis, remains underutilized due to a shortage of trained technicians and the lack of functional laboratory infrastructure, in many government-run facilities,” Dr Sunita added.

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At the community level, the problem often begins with a lack of awareness and the symptoms overlap with other common illnesses. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, often presents with symptoms similar to viral flu, typhoid or dengue, leading to frequent misdiagnoses.

“In rural and semi-urban settings, malaria isn’t always the first suspect. People often self-medicate with paracetamol or antibiotics, and some even rely on herbal remedies. It’s only when the fever persists or worsens that they seek a blood test, and by then, serious damage may already have begun,” said Dr Vikramjeet Singh, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare.

Neurological fallout of Malaria shock

That delay can be dangerous. Doctors warn that in untreated cases, especially those involving Plasmodium falciparum, complications can escalate quickly. Once the parasite crosses a critical threshold, it begins to attack vital organs, including the brain.

“Malaria is not just a fever. In falciparum cases, even a delay of one or two days can be deadly,” said Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital.

“The infected red blood cells can clog small vessels in the brain, leading to swelling and inflammation. This can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, coma. We refer to this as ‘malaria shock’—a form of cerebral malaria where the neurological system collapses under parasitic and inflammatory assault,” Dr Praveen explained.

According to Dr. Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head- Internal Medicine, Asian Hospital, neurological symptoms are often the last and most dangerous sign. “What starts as a low-grade fever can turn into a life-threatening emergency within days. The parasite count can double every 48 hours. Once it crosses a certain threshold, your organs begin to fail. We have seen patients who survive but are left with memory loss, impaired motor skills, or speech difficulties. In some cases, the damage is permanent. It’s a reminder of how crucial early diagnosis and treatment are.”

Urban blind spots

While rural areas face challenges of access and awareness, urban India is grappling with a different but equally serious issue: infrastructure failure. Ironically, cities with relatively better healthcare systems are emerging as hotspots for malaria transmission, largely due to unchecked urban growth and poor civic planning.

“Urban slums are particularly vulnerable. Stagnant water from clogged drains and ongoing construction creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Municipal responses are usually reactive—limited fogging during the monsoon—but that’s not enough to curb year-round transmission,” said Dr Mahendra Dadke, Consultant - General Medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Baner Pune.

Experts stress that eliminating malaria from urban areas requires more than medical intervention but an integrated, cross-sector approach. Health departments, municipal bodies, and urban planners need to work together on sustained sanitation, better housing policies, and community awareness.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Urban malaria needs a different strategy from rural interventions. Civic infrastructure, housing and sanitation must be part of the malaria elimination agenda,” added Dr Mahendra.