In first phase of Malaria-Free Bastar drive, in Narayanpur district a total of 10559 positive cases of malaria have been detected after 1.56 lakh people underwent malaria test.
The health team faced geographical barriers of hills, rivers, rivulets and reached inaccessible areas on foot through forest areas covering several kilometres to reach villages, schools, ashrams, hostels and para-military camps to conduct the test.
The team conducted malaria tests in several such villagers where never such health camps were held. The drive which began on January 15 has covered around 1,56,546 people. 10559 women, men and children were found malaria positive out of which 236 cases of PV (Plasmodium vivax), 10147 of Pf (Plasmodium falciparum) and 176 were of mixed cases were detected. Similarly, 152 pregnant women were also found malaria positive.
Narayanpur Collector P.S. Elma appreciating efforts of health team said, malaria is key reason to malnutrition problem in Bastar area as after the onslaught of the disease people become anemic. Through the drive there is a hope to eliminate anemia, malnutrition, child and maternal mortality rates, he added.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Anandram Gota said villagers are also being explained by the health team on how to prevent malaria by taking preventive steps. Villagers are being motivated to use mosquito-net. Market places are being used to create awareness through video films and folk arts.