Learnings from two independent malaria elimination demonstration projects in India

Abstract

Problem: India and sub-Saharan Africa contributes about 85% of the global malaria burden, and India is committed to eliminating malaria by 2030.

Approach: Two novel initiatives-the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP) in Madhya Pradesh and Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) in Odisha-were initiated independently to demonstrate that indigenous malaria can be eliminated in a short period of time.

Local setting: These initiatives focused on rural, tribal areas where there is a high malaria burden and complex epidemiology.

Relevant changes: The case management and vector control strategies used in these programmes were based on the national guidelines, with context-specific changes and introduction of accountability at management, operational, technical and financial levels. The MEDP achieved a 91% reduction in malaria cases and recorded zero transmission for 6 consecutive and a total of 9 mo. The DAMaN project brought about an 88% reduction in malaria cases.

Lessons learned: Malaria elimination will require robust surveillance and case management, monitoring of vector control interventions, community-centric information education communication and behaviour change communication initiatives and management controls, as well as regular internal and external reviews.