The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has embarked on an ambitious mission to eliminate malaria from the state by 2027.
This initiative will involve comprehensive investigations of every malaria case and ensuring complete treatment for every patient, as part of the state’s broader health strategy.
Under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, June is termed as Anti-Malaria Month.
UP Reports 771 Malaria Cases: Urgency for Intensified Efforts
This year, Uttar Pradesh has already reported 771 cases of malaria, highlighting the urgency and importance of intensified efforts.
To address the challenges in malaria elimination, India is focusing on enhanced case reporting and management across various regions.
This includes continuous epidemiological and entomological investigations, as well as accelerated vector control measures.
The emphasis is also on community participation, training, and capacity development, supported by a regional strategy dedicated to malaria elimination.
State Malaria Officer Vikas Singhal underscored the importance of reporting all malaria cases and ensuring comprehensive treatment for patients to achieve the goal of eradicating malaria from the state.
Authorities conducted training sessions for district malaria officers, relevant staff, and frontline workers.
Rapid diagnostic test kits were distributed across all districts to facilitate malaria testing.
Meanwhile, health workers are actively conducting extensive surveys and malaria tests among patients with fever.
Concurrently, efforts to educate community members about malaria prevention and symptoms are being ramped up.
Singhal noted that the monsoon is to begin in the last week of June, a period during which mosquito-borne diseases tend to thrive.
In preparation for this, June is termed as Anti-Malaria Month, with various activities planned in both urban and rural areas to prevent the disease.
He further explained that malaria spreads through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito, causing fever to typically develop within 14 to 21 days after the parasite enters the body.
Early identification of symptoms and prompt treatment are crucial for prevention.
Singhal added that timely intervention completely cures and prevents malaria.
Ritu Srivastava, the District Malaria Officer of Lucknow, highlighted ongoing efforts in mosquito control, including insecticide spraying and fogging.
In urban areas, insect collectors are actively identifying high-density mosquito areas, prioritizing them for spraying and fogging.
This task is managed by Municipal Corporations in urban areas and by Panchayats in rural areas.
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