Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The state government Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Trusts for implementation of several malaria eradication programmes in five blocks of three southern districts of the state.
The MoU was signed in the presence of health and family welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
“The state government is fully committed to curb the spread of malaria and move towards its elimination to keep pace with country’s mission. Under the collaboration, several programmes for malaria eradication will be taken up in 557 villages in five selected blocks of three districts,” Nayak told the media after the event.
The programmes will be implemented in Bissamcuttack and Muniguda blocks of Rayagada district, Lanjigarh and Thuamulrampur blocks of Kalahandi district and Kotagarh of Kandhamal district.
The partnership will help in design and implementation of malaria elimination programmes through early detection, prompt treatment, prevention, vector control, research, technologies and malarial sciences. In addition to this, the alliance will work towards improving the quality of malaria related management information systems.
Stating that Orissa’s eight costal districts have very low malaria burden, Nayak said, “Our National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) division is planning to increase the surveillance in this region and make this a zero malaria zone within next few years.”
“With so much of advanced technology in communication front, we should think of resolving the issues of remote areas in an innovative manner,” he added.
With a common focus on elimination of malaria by 2030, the partnership plans to strengthen its communication strategy and bring in innovative technologies to track and monitor the disease-prone districts, health secretary Arti Ahuja said.