Malaria cases in India: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India has seen a sharp fall in malaria cases and could become “almost free” of the disease in the near term, citing a 97% reduction in infections.
He made the remarks while addressing the Indian Medical Association’s ‘All India Medical Conference – IMA NATCON 2025’ in Shela, near Ahmedabad.
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Shah credited government health initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush for the decline in malaria, and said the mortality rate in dengue has been brought down to around 1%. He also pointed to a 25% reduction in maternal mortality.
Highlighting increased public spending on health, the Union Minister said the Centre’s health budget has risen from Rs 37,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.28 lakh crore under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said results are achieved when schemes translate into on-ground delivery and added that the government has worked to bring “unprecedented changes” in public health outcomes.
Urging doctors to align their efforts with expanding public health infrastructure and programmes, Shah said a “healthy demography” is essential to achieve the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said the Centre has pursued a broader health ecosystem since 2014, listing initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ayushman Bharat, the Fit India Movement and Khelo India.
Shah said the government has taken steps to make generic medicines affordable, reduced the cost of several medicines by removing GST, increased medical seats and expanded the reach of AIIMS. He also announced that a programme is being planned through AIIMS to support primary and community health centres through telemedicine and video-based guidance.