Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination 2023

Statement of Outcomes

On24th April 2023, on the eve of World Malaria Day, the Ministry ofHealth and Family Welfare, Government of India, in partnership with the AsiaPacific Leaders’ Malaria Alliance (APLMA) hosted a high-level meeting onmalaria elimination in New Delhi, India. The Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave onMalaria Elimination united country representatives from Asia Pacific, global partnersand renowned experts to reaffirm commitments and galvanise action to end thisancient disease.

TheLeaders’ Conclave saw high-level engagement from senior leaders in India includingthe Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals andFertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Hon'ble Member,National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Government of India,who presided over the meeting. 

In addition to recommitting to malariaelimination, leaders at the high-level meeting also discussed tracking regionaland national progress, reaching at-risk populations through a whole ofgovernment approach, and leveraging research, innovation and new technologiesto accelerate progress towards malaria elimination.

Asia Pacific leaders recommitted to eliminating malaria by 2030

Seniorleaders from the Asia Pacific region including Hon Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister of Health & Medical Services, Solomon Islands; Hon Dr Ratu AtonioRabici Lalabalavu, Minister of Health & Medical Services, Republicof Fiji; Hon Dr Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Vice Minister of Health, Republicof Indonesia; Hon Dr Zaliha Binti Mustafa, Minister of Health,Government of Malaysia; and Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WorldHealth Organization (WHO), South-East Asia Region, articulated their continuedcommitment towards the goal of ensuring a malaria-free Asia Pacific by 2030.

Subnationalcommitment and progress are critically important to national elimination goals,and the high-level participation by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tripura,Prof (Dr) Manik Saha as well as Hon’ble Minister of Health & FamilyWelfare Department, Government of Mizoram, Dr R. Lalthangliana, will ensurestate-level focus and implementation of critical interventions necessary formalaria elimination.

TheWHO’s leadership and technical support of the region’s malaria elimination agendawas welcomed with an update from Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director,WHO SEARO on regional progress towards the 2030 elimination goal. The Regional Director highlighted three Ps in her remarks: Progress made in substantially bringingdown the malaria case incidence and mortality rate since 2015; Pressures on the elimination journeyincluding from decreased malaria financing, service disruptions due to COVID-19and continued threat of drug resistant malaria; and the Path forward focused on sub-national capacity strengthening,cross-border collaboration, adequate and sustained financing, strengthened surveillanceand high-impact innovations to accelerate the elimination journey. Thisintertwined with the need to invest, innovate and implement with a specialfocus on reaching the most vulnerable.

Dr Vinod K. Paul, Hon'ble Member, National Institutionfor Transforming India (NITI Aayog), Government of India, highlighted India’s significantprogress in reducing the malaria burden while also acknowledging the need for targetedattention on neglected and vulnerable communities, living in tribal andunderserved rural areas, in the fight against malaria. Active collaboration isrequired to work across ministries, strengthen cross-border approaches, continueresearch and innovation, as well as to leverage technology for strengthenedsurveillance and service delivery in malaria elimination.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’bleUnion Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers,Government of India, reaffirming India’scommitment to eliminate malaria, and called for cooperation between stakeholdersto address the social, economic, and political challenges of malaria. TheHon’ble Minister also committed to further cross-border efforts and extending resources,knowledge and learnings with other countries towards achieving the regionalgoal of malaria elimination.

Focus on migrant populations and prevention of reintroduction at the last mile is essential for continued national and regional progress

Country representativesfrom India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Cambodia shared national and subnational data onelimination progress. These presentations showed countries approaching elimination must focus on the lastmile -- particularly through intensified efforts among Mobile MigrantPopulations. Additionally, countries are planningearly for the prevention of reintroduction of malaria and must ensure sustainedresources even after elimination. Additionalattention must also be given to devising innovative approaches to surveillanceand service delivery for migrant populations as well as intensifying planning, sustainedcommitment and financing to maintain resources for prevention ofreintroduction.

A sustained malaria response requires a whole of government approach and focus on vulnerable communities

To endmalaria, strengtheninghealth information systems -- including disaggregation of data -- is essential forunderstanding critical differences in risks between morbidity and mortality andfor facilitating timely intervention within vulnerable groups.  As malaria is not just a health issue, governments are updatingelimination strategies to consider all social and economic determinants. Achieving a comprehensive and sustainableapproach to malaria elimination requires the participation and coordination ofall government agencies and stakeholders from across sectors such asagriculture, finance, education, and employment. Prioritisation of malaria at the highest level of government tofacilitate this collaborative approach is critical in the fight againstmalaria.

Implementation of innovationsacross diverse geographies will be key

There are manyrecent game-changing developments in research and innovation that have thepotential to accelerate the progress towards elimination. As countries progress closer to the eliminationtarget, the differing malaria burdens within and across countries pose greaterand more unique challenges which tailored innovations can play an importantrole in addressing. Still, many countries in the region continue toface roadblocks in scaling up access to new tools due to limited financing,implementation hurdles, complex regulatory approvals, need for health workertraining and supply chain issues. Concerted action is needed to accelerateaccess pathways and investment from all stakeholders including the government,civil society, private sector and donor institutions. 

Malaria elimination is Asia Pacific is achievable

With excellent historicalsuccess, India and the Asia Pacific region are in the last mile of malariaelimination. To continue progress, countries and partners must focus on hard-to-reachcommunities and planning for the next stage, implement an intersectoral andwhole of government approach to supporting vulnerable communities, invest ininnovation and implementation of tailored solutions, and recommit to the 2030 eliminationgoal. The Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination demonstrated thatthis region has the political will to end malaria and, with intensified and unifiedefforts across levels and sectors, malaria can be eliminated once and for all.

As hosts of the G20 this year, the Governmentof India will continue its leadership role in bringing together regionalgovernments and international stakeholders for improved health outcomes for all.

Read the official Conclave press release from the Press Information Bureau.

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