SAMBALPUR: The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has failed to yield desired results in Baraipali here despite the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) among its residents.
Blame it on ignorance of the people and lack of promotional measures on the part of authorities. Chote Oram (40) of Orampada in Baraipali complained of irritation after sleeping inside LLIN, supplied by the Health and Family Welfare Department as part of the NVBDCP drive.
She also complained that the net emitted the foul smell.
Soon, the words spread in the locality and today all the mosquito nets are lying unused. Similar is the situation in Ranibandh slum of Baraipali, where the nets have been hung outside the houses, even as the slum is located on the embankment of the Ranibandh water body.
On hearing that free mosquito nets are being distributed at the Anganwadi Centre, BPL families made a beeline to get their quota for free.
They were also provided with the required number of nets as per the family sizes and sleeping patterns. They had skipped their work for the purpose and lost a day’s wage.
A fortnight later, they are cribbing at their choice for having to lose a day’s pay. Sources claimed that none apprised the locals of the purpose of the net and the fact that it causes no health hazard.
Apparently, there was no activity undertaken to popularise the use of the nets to contain malaria deaths. Even the voluntary contributions towards promotion of the nets and building up a self-reliant mechanism were ignored and the outcome is evident as one walks through the narrow by-lanes of the slums across the city.
According to sources, neither the administration organised Information Education Communication (IEC) activities and community involvement nor were the Self Help Groups activated to spread the message on the benefits of the supplied nets.
As a matter of fact, very few know that the regular nets provide limited protection against the vector compared to the medicated ones. Mosquitoes can bite through the regular nets or can easily get inside it through holes.
On the contrary, the fibers of the LLINs have been treated with insecticides that can not be removed even after 20 washes. These nets pose no threat to children or newborns.
On being contacted, District Malaria Officer (DMO) Ashok Das passed the buck to other authorities. “It is the responsibility of the city managers under ADMOPublic Health and the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation to ensure that people use the nets. We have a limited role to play in the awareness drive. However, I will take up the issue with the city managers,” he said. “ASHA workers have been imparted with necessary training. They are being paid to ensure that people use it. I will direct the ASHA workers to look into it matter,” ADMO-Public Health, Panchanan Naik said, shifting the onus onto the DMO.