City witnesses drop in malaria cases

The city has witnessed a drop in the malaria cases and deaths in the past five years wherein 16 malaria deaths were reported in 2015 as against 69 deaths in 2011. A total of 39,822 cases were reported in 2011 whereas 7,517 cases were reported last year, revealed a recent data released by the public health department. The civic officials stated that they have laid out a Monsoon preparation plan for battling malaria cases in the city wherein they plan to sensitise and train paramedical staff and medical doctors in each ward committee meeting.

The training of malaria for 94 surveillance inspectors and 420 investigators has already been started by surveillance department from April 11 and will be completed on May 9. Further, co-ordination meeting with major private hospitals and laboratories has been conducted for better co-ordination with private health care facilities.

The plan ensures that the stock of drugs is available and sufficient medicines are in the stock. Further, micro trend mapping will be conducted wherein daily cases will be reported from each ward which is mapped and high risk areas will be identified. The helpline number022-41140000 is activated to provide information to the public about malaria and its symptoms and treatment.

A civic official from the health department said, “Our objective is to end malaria in the country and though the cases and deaths have declined in the city, we still have a long way to go in the fight against Malaria. Our objective is to prevention and precautions from contacting the disease but we also want to be prepared to fight such cases wherein we do not want that any of the patient is declined medical assistance.”