National anti- malaria program in india ABHISHEK RATHORE 2021 - 22
INTRODUCTION Malaria was a major health problem in India, causing an estimated 75 million cases and 0.8 million deaths annually before independence . To combat this, the Govt. launched the National Malaria Control Programme in 1953 (later Eradication Programme in 1958 ) . The current National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP) aims to eliminate malaria by 2030 through universal diagnosis and prompt treatment .
DEFINITION The National Anti-Malaria Program (NAMP), under India’s NVBDCP , aims to prevent, control, and eliminate malaria. Following WHO guidelines, it focuses on early diagnosis, prompt treatment, mosquito control, community awareness, and surveillance, especially in high-risk areas.
LAUNCHING YEAR 1953 : Launched National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) (first national strategy ). 1958 : Renamed National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) following initial success . 1977 : Modified Plan of Operation (MPO) introduced (due to resurgence) with focus on preventing deaths and reducing morbidity. 1998 : Renamed National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP) to emphasize control in high-transmission areas . 2003 : Integrated into NVBDCP (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme ).
PHASES OF PROGRAME Control Phase (1953–57): Focused on DDT spraying under NMCP . Eradication Phase (1958–64): NMEP reduced cases to ~0.1M and eliminated deaths . Resurgence/MPO (1977–96): Modified Plan (MPO) used selective interventions; e.g. the urban malaria scheme (1971) protected cities. Enhanced Control (1997–2000): World Bank–supported projects (e.g. IMCP/EMCP) targeted tribal and high-risk areas. Elimination Phase (2000s–present) : NAMP/NVBDCP focus on eliminating transmission. Goals: zero indigenous cases by 2027, malaria-free by 2030.
STRATEGIES Early Detection & Prompt Treatment (EDPT): Radical treatment for all cases to interrupt transmission. Drug policy: Chloroquine is primary drug for uncomplicated cases; alternate drugs used for resistant strains. Access: Fever Treatment Depots and Drug Distribution Centres in rural areas ensure community access to medications. Biological Control: Employ larvivorous fish in stagnant water (tanks, ponds) and bio-insecticides to kill mosquito larvae. Personal Protection: Distribute insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs/LLINs); promote repellents, coils, house-screening, and protective clothing.
CONT… Environmental Management: Source reduction (cover water tanks, channelize drainage, eliminate pools) to cut breeding grounds. Monitoring & Evaluation: Monthly computerized reporting (MIS), field visits by health officers and researchers, with feedback loops for corrective actions.
COMPONENTS Surveillance – Detect and track malaria cases regularly . Early Diagnosis – Test suspected cases quickly . Prompt Treatment – Provide correct medicines immediately . Vector Control – Reduce mosquito population . Epidemic Preparedness – Be ready for sudden outbreaks . Capacity Building – Train health workers and improve labs . Information, Education & Communication (IEC) – Spread awareness to the public.
CONT… Community Participation – Involve people in prevention activities . Monitoring & Evaluation – Assess progress and improve actions . Research & Development – Use new tools, medicines, and methods.
FEATURES OF PROGRAME National Program – It is run by the Government of India across the whole country . Decentralized Work – Districts and states also manage activities, not only the center . Use of Technology – Rapid tests, new medicines, and digital reporting are used . Community Involvement – Local people take part in mosquito control and awareness . Focus on High-Risk Areas – Special attention is given to tribal, rural, and forest areas.
CONT… Combination Approach – Uses treatment, spraying, nets, and education together . Public–Private Partnership – Works with NGOs, private hospitals, and other sectors . Surveillance-Based Actions – Plans are made depending on data from the field . Goal-Oriented – Main aim is to reduce malaria deaths and finally eliminate malaria.
OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAM Reduce Malaria Cases – Lower the number of people getting malaria every year . Reduce Malaria Deaths – Prevent deaths by early testing and quick treatment . Early Diagnosis – Test all fever cases for malaria quickly . Prompt Treatment – Give the right medicines immediately to all confirmed cases . Strengthen Prevention – Use mosquito nets, spraying, and environmental cleaning.
CONT… Control Epidemics – Be ready and respond quickly to sudden outbreaks. Protect High-Risk Groups – Special care for children, pregnant women, and tribal/rural populations . Community Awareness – Educate people to use nets and keep surroundings clean . Strengthen Surveillance – Keep proper records and data for better planning . Move Towards Elimination – Long-term aim is to eliminate malaria from India.
CURRENT SCENARIO Malaria cases have dropped by ~80%, from 1,169,261 in 2015 to 227,564 in 2023 . Malaria deaths reduced similarly, from 384 in 2015 to just 83 in 2023—also an ~80% decline . Indoor Residual Spraying is done in high-risk areas . India aims to eliminate malaria by 2030.
ACTIVITIES OF PROGRAM Surveillance – Regularly search and record malaria cases in villages and towns . Early Diagnosis – Use Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and microscopy for quick detection . Prompt Treatment – Provide correct anti-malarial drugs immediately to all confirmed cases . Vector Control – Indoor residual spraying, larvicidal measures, and use of larvivorous fish . Distribution of Mosquito Nets – Provide insecticide-treated nets (ITNs/LLINs) to families in risk areas.
CONT… Epidemic Preparedness – Keep teams and medicines ready to control outbreaks quickly . Health Education – Create awareness about prevention through posters, campaigns, and media . Community Participation – Motivate local people to help in cleaning, net use, and prevention . Capacity Building – Train doctors, nurses, lab staff, and health workers . Monitoring & Evaluation – Review program progress and improve where needed.
BENEFITS OF PROGRAM Reduced Malaria Cases – Big drop in malaria incidence across India . Fewer Deaths – Mortality from malaria has gone down greatly . Early Detection – Faster diagnosis through rapid tests and better labs . Better Treatment – Availability of effective medicines at all health centers . Mosquito Control – Use of nets, spraying, and cleaning reduced mosquito breeding.
CONT… Public Awareness – People know more about prevention and protection . Community Involvement – Local people actively participate in prevention activities . Preparedness for Outbreaks – Faster response to epidemics and emergencies . Improved Health System – Training of health workers and stronger labs . Towards Malaria Elimination – India is moving closer to the 2030 elimination goal.
SURVEILLANCE OF PROGRAM Case Detection – Find malaria cases through house visits, clinics, and hospitals . Blood Examination – Test all fever cases with microscopy or rapid tests (RDTs ). Recording & Reporting – Keep proper registers and send regular reports to higher centers . Data Analysis – Study the data to know trends, high-risk areas, and outbreaks . Feedback System – Share results with health workers and community for quick action.
CONT… Active Surveillance – Health workers go door-to-door in villages to find fever cases . Passive Surveillance – Patients coming to health centers are tested for malaria . Epidemic Alert – Sudden rise in cases is identified and reported immediately . Use of Technology – Mobile apps and online systems are used for fast reporting . Action Based on Data – Plans are made according to surveillance information.
ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE Educates the community about malaria prevention and use of mosquito nets . Finds fever cases during home visits and refers for testing . Helps in diagnosis by preparing blood smears or using rapid test kits . Ensures treatment is given quickly and correctly to all malaria patients . Follows up patients to check recovery and completion of medicines.
CONT… Supports mosquito control by guiding people in spraying and removing breeding sites . Involves the community in cleanliness drives and awareness programs . Maintains records of malaria cases and reports to health authorities . Trains local workers like ASHAs and volunteers in malaria prevention . Assists in outbreak control by providing care and spreading awareness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 27th Edition, Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers, Jabalpur . WHO (2023). World Malaria Report 2023. World Health Organization, Geneva . Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare ( MoHFW ). National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India (2016–2030).