Health department is embarking on a month-long ‘Malaria-free Bastar’ drive from January 15 to February 14.
The extensive drive will cover more than 3 lakh houses to cover 14 lakh people to test their blood for malaria and extend immediate treatment.
Apart from houses, schools, ashram-hostel cum schools and para-military camps will be covered.
As per department sources in Bastar division extensive drive will be held in all 26 blocks mainly in areas of Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanapur,
A total of 430 sub health centres and around 1823 villages under their jurisdiction will be covered.
Accordig to Health minister T. S. Singhdeo by giving priority to bring down malarial deaths after the monsoon, an inter-departmental coordination will be ensured to bring maximum people under the fold. The second round will be held in May-June and third phase of the drive will be conducted in December-January.
Department sources said along with malaria eradication, focus is also on addressing problem of anemia, child mortality rate and maternal mortality rate including malnutrition in these areas. 1720 teams have been constituted to conduct the drive. The team will also motivate people to use mosquito nets while sleeping along with spraying insecticides.