KalingaTV News Network
Rayagada: There was a day when the tribal dominated Rayagada district was badly hit by malaria, creating a headache for the district administration. However, with successive efforts taken by the district administration, the malaria cases and deaths have been reduced greatly in the district.
According to reports, 107 health sub-centers out of 236 hospitals including the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), reported zero cases of malaria between March 2017-2018.
The district administration had given importance to cleanliness and spray of anti-mosquito medicine at all the polluted areas. Besides, massive awareness drive at village level was held.
The Early Diagnosis and Complete Treatment (EDCT), an important strategy for malaria control under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), were done along with Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), distribution of community bed nets and Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) were also done to control the menace.
“Since malaria has direct impact on the maternal and child health, we had taken many initiatives including the Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) scheme, which means the elimination of malaria in inaccessible areas, to curb the malaria menace. Now we are happy that the number has come down greatly. At the same time maternal mortality due to malaria has come down in 2017 in comparison to 2016,” said Collector Guha Punam Tapas Kumar.
Adding to the district collector, ADMO, Rayagada Dr. B.Laxminarayan Prusty said, “Number of malaria affected people has come down drastically. We have found even some sub-centres reporting zero malaria cases.”
As many as 65 people out of 1000 were affected in malaria in 2015-16. However, the state government had launched DAMaN in the district. Mosquito nets were distributed to 5,86,414 people. Besides, massive DDT spraying was also carried out.
Moreover, health checkups of women and newborn were made mandatory and free blood test kits were distributed in 1680 ASHA Kendras of the district, following which the number of malaria cases came down in the district.
“Earlier people were unaware of malaria and its means of eradication. They used to believe in sorcery. People were using the mosquito nets for fishing. But, now they use them at home and test their blood and take medicine accordingly,” Arakhit Tading, a village in the district.
Ms Kalinga