Close to eliminating malaria in few years: NITI

India is close to eliminating Malaria in the next few years, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said on Thursday. After inaugurating the health pavilion at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF), Paul said the infrastructural development was ongoing across the country towards disease elimination.

“India has eliminated or is on the verge of eliminating seven diseases, including TB, measles, rubella, trachoma, kala-azar, leprosy and lymphatic filariasis, over the next five years. India has already screened over 5 crore people for sickle cell anaemia, moving incrementally towards achieving the target of 8 crore screenings. Similar progress is being made in other programmes like mental health and family planning,” he said.

This year’s pavilion is centred around the theme of “One Health” — a comprehensive approach that emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health.

Paul said PM Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat also involved attaining the vision of Niramaya Bharat (disease free).

At the pavilion, the health ministry is showcasing its achievements through the stalls. Paul noted that the AB PM-JAY initiative had recently been enhanced to cover all elderly aged 70 and above.