India has achieved a 97% reduction in malaria cases, bringing the country closer than ever to eliminating the disease and marking a major public health milestone. The update was shared by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah during the IMA Nation 2025 programme in Shela, where he highlighted broader improvements in key health outcomes over the past decade.
The nation’s progress reflects sustained efforts to strengthen disease control, expand healthcare access and improve overall treatment delivery across states.
Alongside the sharp decline in malaria, dengue mortality has fallen to around 1% and maternal mortality has declined by 25%, underscoring gains in early diagnosis, disease management and access to treatment.
These health improvements have been supported by the expansion and implementation of major public health initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat and Mission Indradhanush, which have strengthened preventive care and last‑mile outreach. Public health spending has also risen sharply, with the healthcare budget increasing from ₹37,000 crore in 2014 to ₹1.28 lakh crore at present.
Efforts to reinforce the healthcare ecosystem include the expansion of AIIMS institutions, a significant increase in medical education seats, the promotion of affordable generic medicines through tax rationalisation, and the deployment of telemedicine services to support primary and community health centres. Shah also emphasised the role of doctors and medical associations in aligning clinical practice with evolving public health needs and ethical standards.
These combined measures have accelerated India’s progress towards malaria elimination while contributing to sustained improvements in national health indicators and broader access to care.
