Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on the occasion of the World Malaria Day, reiterated his Government’s commitment to take all possible efforts to completely eliminate malaria from the State by 2030, the deadline set by the Union Government.
“On the World Malaria Day, I restate resolve to intensify efforts to eliminate malaria from Odisha by 2030 in line with the national goal,” Patnaik posted in his Facebook page on Tuesday.
He said while eight coastal districts are close to eliminating malaria; deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease have reduced sharply across the State over the years.
“The DAMaN (Durgam Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran) funded on the State's own resources is being undertaken to fight the disease. By now, over a crore of long lasting insecticidal nets (llINs) have been distributed in 17 high-risk districts. The programme will definitely give positive results in checking malaria,” said Chief Minister Patnaik.
However, he stressed on community sensitisation and involvement in eliminating the disease fully. “We should sensitise people to ensure cleanliness in and around their villages so that mosquitoes cannot breed and spread malaria,” the Chief Minister said.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Pradip Kumar Amat said malarial the number of deaths officially recorded in 2014 was 89 while it came down to 80 in 2015 and 77 in 2016.
He said an amount of Rs 10 crore has been allocated to check the spread of disease in high-risk districts. He too said one crore mosquito nets would be distributed to people across the State soon.
Pramod Kumar Meherada, Secretary Health & family Welfare was also present.
Notably, malaria incidences are high in 21 districts, including eight southern districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Kalahandi and Nuapada where more than 50 per cent malaria cases and deaths are reported.