Berhampur: The district health department has set out to eliminate malaria deaths this year even as World Malaria Day was observed here in Ganjam district Thursday. CDMO Dr Bijya Kumar Panigrahi, who was the guest of honour, said the health department is focusing on reducing malaria cases in the district.
“Health education camps and distribution of medicines and mosquito nets are being carried out in malaria-hit areas regularly. Health department officers visit every village in the district regularly. It is the responsibility of the public to become aware about malaria and help in its eradication. If anyone has fever they must consult doctors at the district headquarters hospital immediately,” said Dr Panigrahi.
Dr R Jagdish Pattnaik said in 2017 two persons died of malaria, and in 2018 there was one casualty. The number of malaria cases has come down in last two to three years.
Surveys are conducted from June to August every year and most malaria patients are identified. Special programmes have been launched by the health department to tackle malaria in these months, he said. Dr V Sarojini Devi, Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Dr Truptilata Mohapatra were also present at the meeting.
PNN
