Union Health Minister has reviewed the current dengue and malaria situation in the country and issued a strong advisory to all Chief Ministers. He has urged them to remain vigilant in the coming months and to intensify preventive measures and community awareness activities to effectively control these vector-borne diseases.
The review meeting, held on September 10, 2025, highlighted that the risk of outbreaks is highest during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, exacerbated by recent rains that have created breeding sites.
Urgent Action Plan for States and Local Bodies
The Minister stressed the need for urgent and coordinated action, directing state health ministers to personally review the situation and prepare action plans within 20 days. He also issued a series of directives for government bodies and the public:
- Local Bodies: Municipal Corporations and Panchayats are asked to intensify community awareness drives.
- Hospitals: All hospitals, including central government facilities, must ensure an adequate supply of drugs, diagnostics, beds, and maintain mosquito-free premises.
- Public Awareness: Intensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns and social media outreach will be used to promote community participation and personal protection.
- Delhi-NCR: A specific high-level review meeting is to be held for Delhi and the NCR region to assess the dengue situation and ensure advance preparedness.
Sustaining Gains in Malaria Elimination
The Minister underlined India’s significant progress in combating Malaria, with the country achieving a reduction of over 78% in cases and deaths between 2015 and 2024. The government has set an ambitious goal of eliminating malaria by 2030. Key initiatives supporting this goal include the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023-27), real-time monitoring via the Integrated Health Management Platform (IHIP), and the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs).
National Dengue Control Strategy
With all States and UTs (except Ladakh) being endemic to dengue and chikungunya, the National Dengue Control Strategy is being implemented with a focus on surveillance, case management, and vector control. Diagnostic capacity has been strengthened with 869 Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals and 27 Apex Referral Laboratories providing free testing. The government has also supplied over 5,520 dengue and 2,530 chikungunya diagnostic kits to states in 2025 alone.
The Minister’s message is one of vigilance and collaboration, urging a concerted effort from all levels of government and society to safeguard public health against these diseases.