World Malaria report 2021 says India continues to reduce malaria cases. Asia Pacific makes steady progress during the pandemic, yet gaps remain in some high burden countries.
Singapore: The World Health Organisation’s annual World Malaria Report 2021, published recently reveals that steady progress was made in 2020 across the Asia Pacific region in the fight against malaria. The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) and Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) welcome overall progress in the region despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 but urge continued commitment and collaboration from countries to end malaria by 2030.
Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems throughout the world have been tested in unprecedented ways. According to the report, worldwide malaria cases (241 million) and deaths (627,000) increased in 2020, resulting in approximately 14 million more cases in 2020 compared to 2019, and 69,000 more deaths. Most of the increase in case numbers in 2020 occurred in the African continent. Two-thirds of these additional deaths (47,000) were linked to disruptions in malaria services during the pandemic, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
While the worst was feared, despite COVID-19 disruptions many countries worldwide and in Asia Pacific swiftly adapted to ensure malaria services continued. The region continues to make steady progress, but challenges remain.
Progress and remaining challenges in Asia Pacific
The Greater Mekong sub region (GMS) which comprises Cambodia, China (Yunnan Province), Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam continued to see significant progress with a 27% decline in cases in 2020 compared to 2019 i . The WHO reported that the GMS has experienced a 93% decrease in the number of P.falciparum malaria cases between 2000 and 2020, and a 78% decrease in all malaria cases including P.vivax during the same time frame.
India registered progress against malaria.
According to WHO estimates, India reduced its number of malaria cases (between 2019 to 2020 ) and among the 11 countries that are part of the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact initiative, only India registered progress against malaria.
In other significant milestones, China received WHO malaria-free certification this year and Sri Lanka remains certified as malaria-free. Countries on the verge of elimination were also not deterred by COVID-19. Malaysia has had no human cases of malaria for three consecutive years, while Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Timor Leste, Nepal, Vanuatu and Viet Nam all reported zero indigenous malaria deaths in 2020.
“The findings from this year’s World Malaria Report demonstrate the significant and positive strides the Asia Pacific region has made in reducing cases and averting deaths from malaria, which is testament to cross-border collaboration, strong leadership and international cooperation with partners such as the WHO, Global Fund and RBM,” said Dr Sarthak Das, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
Despite these strides, there is still a significant burden in other countries that cannot be ignored. Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu have all seen increases in malaria cases over the past five years, according to WHO estimates.
“We absolutely cannot deny the devastation that malaria continues to cause in high burden countries, including PNG. While India and Indonesia are making steady progress, the remaining challenges cannot be ignored – no one is safe until we are all safe. Working towards the elimination of malaria requires not only continued regional and global solutions but also tailored sub-national solutions, as well as continued financing in areas such as the GMS, despite the significant investments already made.
We also cannot be complacent in near elimination countries such as Bhutan and Timor Leste, which underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration, or fragile states such as Afghanistan and Myanmar. As we focus on our 2030 malaria elimination goal, let’s find creative ways to synergize both malaria and pandemic related interventions, such as programs to improve surveillance, data, and public health management particularly where systems and the communities they serve are most vulnerable,” Dr Das added.
“While the gains made elsewhere in the world are impressive, it cannot be ignored that in PNG we are facing a different situation, with malaria causing immense suffering for our people. Since 2014, we have continued to bear the most significant burden of malaria cases and deaths in Asia Pacific – and this situation is an absolute crisis,” said Leo Sora Makita, Program Manager Malaria and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Health, PNG.
