Bhubaneswar: The state government has accorded approval to “Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran” (DAMAN), an intensive malaria control drive to cover inaccessible areas where the vector-borne disease is endemic. Officials of health and family welfare (H&FW) department made the official announcement Sunday.
They said the drive will supplement routine malaria control activities and bridge gaps in spotting cases and treatment among the high-risk populations in inaccessible villages or hamlets in endemic areas.
DAMAN includes mass screening for malaria and treatment for positive cases along with intensified surveillance, vector control measures and regular health education activities throughout the year.
According to health department officials, DAMAN will initially be implemented in 8,000 villages or hamlets of all 79 blocks in the eight southern districts — Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nuapada and Kandhamal — where malaria is endemic.
“These districts have contributed about 60 per cent cases and 56 per cent deaths from malaria in the state during 2015–16,” they said. The government has approved a budget of `120 crore for the implementation of DAMAN for five years. Of this amount `25 crore has been approved for the current fiscal and `10 crore sanctioned, officials said and added that the drive will be launched shortly. To ensure effective implementation of the proposed initiative, NVBDCP has drafted operational guidelines that focus on bringing clarity in implementation of the proposed initiatives.
The officials said the drive will benefit about 80 lakh people in high-risk areas every year and will be extended to more districts where malaria is endemic in future.
Malaria is a major health hazard in Orissa. The state reported 38 per cent of malaria cases and 28 per cent of malaria deaths in the country in FY16. It has 62 tribes, including 13 primitive ones that constitute 22.3 per cent of the population of the state and are under high risk of malaria infection.
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