Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, India.
Molecular Parasitology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Field Unit, India.
Pathog Glob Health. 2022 Dec;116(8):463-464. doi: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2100190. Epub 2022 Jul 12.
Malaria and malnutrition are major public health problems in India, especially in the rural and tribal communities, and also remain primary causes of morbidity and mortality among children younger than five years. Both diseases are synergistic with each other. It is essential to have a better understanding of the intricate relationships between malnutrition and malaria to target interventions in areas where both diseases coexist. This article highlights the synergistic relationship between malnutrition and malaria, and how malnutrition and malaria play a significant role in disease severity and eventually hinder the elimination of these diseases by 2030. The government and several private sectors have made a substantial dent through various programmes and schemes. However, supplementing nutrition-sensitive measures, including easy accessibility to a healthy balanced diet, safe drinking water and improved sanitation, is necessary. Therefore, if India really aims to achieve its dream of disease elimination (malaria and all forms of malnutrition) by 2030, it is imperative that tribal regions are given more attention and all possible strategies are applied in the country's remotest corners.
疟疾和营养不良是印度主要的公共卫生问题，特别是在农村和部落社区，也是五岁以下儿童发病率和死亡率的主要原因。这两种疾病相互协同。深入了解营养不良和疟疾之间复杂的关系，以便在这两种疾病共存的地区有针对性地开展干预措施，这一点至关重要。本文强调了营养不良和疟疾之间的协同关系，以及营养不良和疟疾如何在疾病严重程度中发挥重要作用，并最终阻碍到 2030 年消除这些疾病的目标。政府和几个私营部门通过各种方案和计划取得了重大进展。然而，有必要补充营养敏感措施，包括方便获得健康均衡饮食、安全饮用水和改善卫生条件。因此，如果印度真的希望到 2030 年实现消除疾病（疟疾和所有形式的营养不良）的梦想，那么必须更加关注部落地区，并在该国最偏远的角落应用所有可能的战略。
