Health Dept, RMC begin Malaria control drive

The Department of Health and Family Welfare has begun its exercise of identifying vulnerable districts from where maximum cases of Malaria are reported. The department by far has distributed 67 lakh mosquito nets covering 1.45 crore rural populace. According to the Health Department officials, Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT) fogging will be started from May 15 across the 24 districts.

“Besides the guidelines about various preventive measures that are released annually by the Government of India (GoI), distribution of mosquito nets covering a major chunk of rural population has been completed recently. Soon to bring decline in the number of malaria cases registered annually; DDT fogging in every district will be initiated from May 15. A few districts have already begun the exercise of DDT fogging,” said State level vector borne disease control officer, Dr. Vijaynath Khanna on Monday.

Khanna further added that the department is gearing up to create awareness through special drive about the vector borne diseases among the rural populace predominately. According to the data of Department of Health and Family Welfare six districts of State reel under the threat of malaria in comparison to other districts.

“As per our findings, Chaibasa, Garhwa, Latehar, Simdega, Chatra and Khunti are prone to malaria disease. Since past few years maximum cases of malaria is being reported from these districts. In the first phase of DDT fogging, around four districts which include Godda, Dumka, Pakur and Sahibganj have been covered. Maximum cases of Kala-Azar are reported from these districts,” Dr. Khanna further added.

Meanwhile, retender for cold fogging machines has been done by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC). The officials of the Municipal Corporation stated that by May end, RMC will have cold fogging machines to meet the requirement. Notably, since long procurement of cold fogging machines was hanging in balance.

“The retender for purchasing machines was done recently by the Municipal Corporation. Five to six cold machines will be sufficient to cover the municipal periphery. The municipal Corporation is likely to receive orders in the mid May. For the time being, round-wise fogging is being done in different areas with the existing facilities,” Ranchi Municipal Corporation Officer (PR), Naresh Sinha said.