Community activities and awareness campaigns were organised across Bhopal on April 25 to mark World Malaria Day, reaching schools, clinics, and neighbourhoods across the district.
Under Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Prabhakar Tiwari and District Malaria Officer Dr Pranjal Khare, the district malaria office and Godrej-supported EMBED project led programmes in both urban and rural areas.
Awareness drives were held at schools, PHCs, Sanjeevani clinics, civil dispensaries and anganwadis, where zonal teams conducted community meetings, health pledges and informative sessions on malaria prevention.
At the village level, ASHA workers led slogan-writing exercises and door-to-door campaigns. They also received training at community health centres to strengthen grassroots awareness.
Nearly 700 schoolchildren participated in drawing and painting activities to promote malaria prevention messages. Anganwadi and field workers also took part in the district-wide campaign.
In high-risk areas, Gambusia fish were introduced to control mosquito larvae. Loudspeaker announcements helped spread key information on preventing mosquito breeding and recognising early symptoms.
Citizens were advised to keep water containers covered, regularly clean coolers and tanks, and avoid water stagnation to stop mosquito breeding near their homes.
People were warned against ignoring fever and urged to get tested promptly. Completing prescribed treatment was stressed as essential to full recovery and community safety.
At the district malaria office, Joint Director Dr Neera Choudhary administered a formal pledge to the entire staff, reaffirming their commitment to malaria awareness and elimination.
Deputy Director Dr Suresh Kumar, Dr Pranjal Khare, and Family Health India’s Regional Coordinator Dr Santosh Bhargava were also present at the ceremony.