Malaria eradication fund in North East India
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2012:
The US-based Office of Inspector General is willing to provide more funds for eradication of malaria in North East India.
A reliable source informed that the same office was investing in the North East for eradication of malaria from 2004 to 2009 .
Under the same programme, Manipur received funds starting from 2006 and along with it, several anti-malaria measures were taken up.
On account of this anti-malaria programme sponsored by the Office of Inspector General which is an international organisation, cases of malaria came down considerably in the North East region, more so in Manipur.
2006 recorded 2709 cases of malaria infection in Manipur including eight cases of mortality.
The figure came down to 1194 in 2007 including four cases of mortal infection.
2008 recorded 708 cases of malaria infection including two cases of death.
The figure rose to 1069 in 2009 and there was one case of death due to malarial infection.
Against 947 people infected by malaria in 2010, four succumbed to the infection.
2011 recorded 714 cases of malarial infection and a single case of mortal infection.
The international organisation decided to extend further monetary aid in view of the positive outcomes of the anti-malaria programmes which have considerably reduced cases of malarial infection as well as mortality over the years.
As more funds have been guaranteed, activities being implemented under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme would be made more intensive and extensive.
Apart from strengthening surveillance network and creating massive awareness programmes for the people, rapid diagnostic test would be made available.
Rapid diagnostic test kits would be made available to ASHA members working under NRHM at village level.
Furthermore, arrangements would be made where ASHA workers can provide medicines to patients tested positive for malaria.
To strengthen district level manpower, more staff would be recruited, added the source.