The administration of malaria-prone Sundargarh district has under-reported the malaria mortality figures for lack of adequate surveillance, said the officials associated with the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).
Officially, the district has an average malaria prevalence rate of 7.7 per 1000 population and till October, 2013, the district recorded only seven confirmed deaths. Though the figures are impressive, a deeper analysis reveals that all is not well with the NVBDCP in the district.
Sources said malaria detection is done using ‘active’ and ‘passive’ surveillance methods through four sentinel sites and 17 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the district. In 2012, the PHC at Kutra showed prevalence rate of 0.9 while other PHCs in remote Hemgir, Sargipali, Mangaspur, Majhapada, Kinjirkela, Liang, Birkera and Kuanrmunda reported prevalence rate between two and 8.5. The Maoist-hit Bisra block close to the vast Saranda forest reported 81.1, while Lahunipara, Koida, Gurundia and S Balang (Bonai) in Bonai sub-division showed prevalence rate of 28.2, 11.6, 14.6 and 23.6 respectively, the sources said.NVBDCP officials admitted that the interior pockets of entire Bonai sub-division along with Bisra, Lathikata and Nuagaon blocks are proven malaria-prone belts. Owing to the fear of Maoists and a splinter Maoist outfit, the health workers never visit those areas with majority of malaria affected and death cases going unreported.
A senior officer attached to the NVBDCP said each year more than 100 persons die due to malaria in the district, but majority of them either go unreported or are deliberately suppressed. He pointed out that virtually inaccessible Koida and Gurundia blocks are burning examples of under-reporting.
Claiming that total malaria control is not possible, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Basant Nayak said Sundargarh is better placed compared to other districts in the State. He also informed that supply of LLINs (Long Lasting Insecticide Nets) has been stopped for past two years.
Large number of vacant posts, poor work culture and lack of monitoring appear to be major reasons of under-reporting. Out of 90 sanctioned posts of District Malaria Supervisors, 24 are vacant and of 32 sanctioned strength of Supervising Field Workers, 22 are vacant.
Admitting the constraints, District Malaria Officer (DMO) Dr Dibakar Choudhary said efforts were underway to ensure strict surveillance to report malaria cases.