BHUBANESWAR: Director of National Health Mission (NHM) and Additional Secretary of Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry Dr Arun Kumar Panda on Tuesday directed the State health officials to prepare a micro plan for distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets in malaria-hit districts by end of May.
Reviewing the malaria situation in the State, Dr Panda stressed on the importance of community involvement and timely implementation of target-oriented programme for elimination of the vector borne disease.
He expressed concern over the surge in malaria positive cases and deaths in Odisha and suggested the officials to rope in eminent citizens, NGOs, members of Panchayati Raj institutions and self-help groups (SHGs) for success of the health programme.
Odisha has topped the the list of malaria deaths in the country though the number of deaths has come down from 89 in 2014 to 77 in 2016. Of 71,89,116 samples tested, 4,49,697 were diagnosed with malaria positive in the State and among the positive cases, 3,89,332 were of the deadly Plasmodium Falciparum.
Since use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) can prevent the spread of malaria, Dr Panda said the State will be provided 1.13 crore nets by end of March. He asked the officials to go for proper planning and monitoring at micro level to streamline net distribution.
‘’The nets should be distributed in 24 hours after those reach the godowns,’’ he said and instructed the officials to ensure that the distribution of nets is completed by end of May.
Appreciating the flagship scheme DAMaN (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran), Dr Panda said the programme can set an example for other States, if it becomes successful in Odisha. The scheme will be launched in the State next month.
The NHM Director also reviewed the situation of Japanese Encephalitis, dengue, Chikungunya and epilepsy in the State and directed the officials to initiate early measures to control the diseases. He assured to send a senior officer of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) for monitoring of net distribution.
Among others, Health Secretary Dr Pramod Kumar Meherda, Director (NVBDCP) Dr AC Dhariwal, Joint Director Dr SN Sharma and senior health officials were present.