The State Government is optimistic to achieve malaria eradication by 2030, thanks to a renewed strategic approach to contain the killer disease, officials say.
Additional Chief Secretary Health & Family Welfare Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra recently reviewed the steps taken to contain malaria, which witnessed a rising trend from the beginning of 2020. Due to the Covid-19 effects, the malaria case rise continued till July.
However, with completion of new long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution towards by the end of June in three most high-burden districts, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Koraput, there is a gradual reduction of cases in the State. These districts have shown a more than 70% reduction of their cases compared to the previous months.
With receipt of newer LLINs in 2020 from the Government of India under GFATM support and with renewed strategic approach as per the National Strategic Plan of Government of India, the State is optimistic to achieve malaria elimination by 2030.
Odisha being one of the highest endemic States has contributed majorly towards a significant malaria case reduction of the country. Highest case decrease by 81 percent was observed in 2018 compared to 2017.
In 2019, total 39,556 cases were recorded in the State which was 40.39 per cent decrease, compared to 2018. Likewise, there was 87 percent reduction in total malaria deaths of the State in 2018, compared to 2017.
With record of highest 4,44,842 malaria cases, the State was contributing 41 per cent of the national malaria burden in 2016. Notable is the effort of State Government in launching an intensive malaria control drive in the State in the name of Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) with an annual budget grant of Rs 20 crore for 5 years.
This novel initiative of the State has addressed malaria problem in around 6,000 inaccessible villages/hamlets covering around 12 lakh most vulnerable population for last four years. The has led to the shrinking of malaria map in Odisha.