Malaria, a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries, remains a significant threat to global public health, with a significant burden on India, where despite concerted efforts, barriers to effective prevention and treatment persist, leading to The cycle of transmission continues. To truly tackle malaria, we must comprehensively address these barriers and adapt our approach to the evolving landscape of the disease.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sushant Kumar Ghosh, who was previously at the ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research in Bengaluru and is currently scientific advisor at Eco Biotraps, shared, “One of the primary challenges in tackling malaria is One is the lack of understanding of it. Causes and effective prevention methods in most malaria-endemic areas. Misconceptions, such as the belief that malaria cannot be prevented or treated, contribute to fatalistic attitudes and hinder proactive measures. Additionally, reliance on traditional treatments further complicates the issue, often leading to delays in receiving appropriate medical care.”
He added, “In addition, assessment of malaria burden and transmission patterns is important, especially in low-transmission settings where the disease may go unnoticed. Additionally there is residual transmission from low-parasitemia cases in endemic settings. Inclusion of serological markers of recent infection and molecular diagnosis in future studies may provide valuable insight into the true extent of the problem and guide targeted interventions.
According to a 2024 study published in the journal Clinical Epidemiology & Global Health, India bears 79% of the global malaria burden in the south-east region, and faces unique challenges in its efforts towards elimination. Dr Sushant Kumar Ghosh revealed, “Factors such as meteorological conditions, environmental changes and socioeconomic disparities influence the dynamics of malaria transmission. Rapid urbanization, deforestation and unplanned construction activities disrupt vector ecology, further exacerbating the problem. “Weak disease surveillance systems and varying seasonal transmission patterns further complicate control efforts, especially as the number of cases fluctuates due to climate change.”
“In response to these challenges, initiatives such as the Tribal Malaria Action Plan have been implemented to reduce parasite reservoirs and strengthen control services,” he said. However, as stated in the National Framework for Malaria Elimination, achieving malaria elimination by 2030 remains a difficult task. The most recent National Strategic Plan: Malaria Elimination 2023–27 emphasizes strengthening surveillance and action in outreach areas. The persistence of malaria parasites together with socio-cultural and environmental factors requires a multi-pronged approach.
Central to any effective malaria control strategy is community participation and awareness. Dr. Sushant Kumar Ghosh stressed, “Information campaigns play a vital role in educating the vulnerable population about the symptoms of malaria, methods of prevention and the importance of seeking timely treatment. By promoting community participation and collaboration with local authorities, we can increase the impact of control activities and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the malaria epidemic by 2030. Furthermore, understanding the socio-demographic determinants of malaria knowledge and practices is essential for targeted interventions. Factors such as age, education, socioeconomic status and locality influence the ability of individuals to effectively adopt preventive measures. By addressing these disparities and tailoring interventions to specific population groups, we can optimize the impact of malaria control efforts.
According to him, insecticide resistance is a significant challenge to malaria control efforts in India. Dr Susanta Kumar Ghosh said, “Anopheles culicificaceOne of the primary vectors of malaria in the region exemplifies this threat. This mosquito species has developed complete resistance to the insecticide dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), showing substantial resistance to malathion and synthetic pyrethroids. What is even more worrying is that resistance has developed against several pesticides at once anopheles culicifacis Mosquitoes further complicate control measures. Long-term use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) has led to changes in vector behavior avoiding LLINs. The current challenge is to replace the old nets. Additionally, other major vectors such as Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles sundaicus and Anopheles stephensi also exhibit resistance to commonly used insecticides. These findings underline the urgent need for innovative approaches to mosquito control beyond traditional insecticides. This requires a shift to alternative strategies that can effectively target resistant mosquitoes while reducing environmental impact.
Dr. Sushant Kumar Ghosh suggested, “A promising approach is the use of biological control methods such as the use of ovitraps, which specifically target breeding mosquitoes. These methods provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and can help reduce the selective pressure driving pesticide resistance. Additionally, better habitat design to reduce mosquito entry or community-based environmental management to eliminate breeding sites may increase the effectiveness of malaria control efforts. Understanding the factors that increase the risk of malaria is essential to designing comprehensive control strategies. By addressing barriers to prevention and treatment, increasing surveillance efforts, and engaging communities, we can make significant progress toward malaria elimination. With concerted efforts and innovative approaches, the goal of a malaria-free future is within our reach.
