Controversial malaria mortality results from the Million Death Study

The number of premature deaths from malaria in India has been vastly underestimated, according to a new study by researchers from India, Canada and the UK.

Most malaria deaths in India occur among people in rural areas with a sudden severe fever that is never seen by any health care worker. Using verbal autopsy as part of the Million Death Study (MDS), results from this study show that malaria accounts for about 200,000 premature deaths before age 70 in India (including 80,000 children below age 15 and 120,000 adults). Previous estimates of malaria deaths were less than 10% of this new figure.

“What is striking about these numbers is that, unlike AIDS or cancer, malaria is curable if treated promptly,” said Dr VM Katoch, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director-General, Indian Council of Medical Research. “We have safe, effective and inexpensive drugs that can quickly cure malaria patients. What we need is rapid access to health care facilities.”

The study authors conclude that if current WHO estimates for malaria mortality are likely to be serious underestimates, the strategies for controlling the disease could drastically change.

Read the full article here: Adult and child malaria mortality in India: a nationally representative mortality survey

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