Chhattisgarh’s Bold Attack on Malaria: Marching Towards ‘Zero Malaria’ Goal

Mission-mode campaign under Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal sets a national example in public health

Raipur : Under the leadership of Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, the Chhattisgarh government has launched a decisive and exemplary campaign for the permanent eradication of malaria, taking public health efforts to a new level. The state’s ongoing ‘Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan’ has now entered its 12th phase, expanding both its reach and effectiveness in tackling this life-threatening disease.

Since June 25, the campaign has been active across 10 districts, conducting intensive screening, treatment, and public awareness drives. So far, health workers have visited 19,402 households, and conducted blood tests on 98,594 individuals, identifying 1,265 malaria-positive cases. Importantly, every infected person received the first dose of medication on the spot, following best medical practices—patients were given local food before administering the medicine to ensure safe and effective results. Each patient was also issued a treatment card to enable strict follow-up and monitoring.

The impact has been most visible in the Bastar division, where malaria cases have seen a dramatic 71% decline compared to 2015. This outcome is not incidental, but the result of scientific planning, consistency, and community-focused strategies. The state’s Annual Parasite Index (API) has impressively dropped from 27.40 to 7.11, clearly demonstrating effective malaria control.

Health Minister Jaiswal expressed satisfaction over the progress and said, “The fight against malaria is no longer just about treatment—it is a battle of strategy and public participation. The government’s targets—‘Zero Malaria’ by 2027 and a completely malaria-free Chhattisgarh by 2030—are no longer just ambitious goals on paper, but concrete realities in the making.”

Commissioner and Director of the Health Department, Dr. Priyanka Shukla, stated that the campaign’s efforts have significantly reduced malaria cases in Bastar. “Our focus is on reaching every infected person, providing timely treatment, and eliminating the chances of reinfection. We are especially targeting asymptomatic cases to root out the disease entirely,” she said.

A critical pillar of this campaign’s success has been the active involvement of Mitanins (community health workers), Anganwadi workers, village panchayats, and voluntary organizations. What began as a government health program has evolved into a people’s movement. Along with diagnosis and treatment, the campaign also promotes practical preventive measures such as regular use of mosquito nets, drainage maintenance, and cleanliness drives to prevent breeding grounds.

Chhattisgarh’s focused and compassionate approach is not only propelling the state towards malaria eradication but also setting a national benchmark in public health management. In the coming years, this integrated and participatory model could serve as an inspiration for other states aiming to eliminate malaria from their regions.