Dr. Ramadoss calls for personal involvement of district collectors for malaria control

A meeting of District Collectors of High Malaria Endemic Districts was inaugurated today by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss. Shri Naresh Dayal, Secretary (H&FW), Dr. R.K. Srivastava, DGHS and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.

In his address, the Minister said that the office of the District Collector is the cornerstone of the district administration as well as the success of all programmes including disease control programmes is largely determined by the initiative and enterprise of the District Collector. We have made the District Collector the Chairman of the District Health Society for this very reason including timely release of funds. For control of malaria, therefore, I need not underline your leadership role and responsibility, but I would like to urge your personal involvement and driving force in boosting up the district health set-up for malaria control. There is ample evidence that anti-malaria programmes have been successful only because of the wholehearted cooperation extended by the district administration.

The following is the summary of his speech:

Control of malaria is, critical to improve health and well-being as well as reduce people’s poverty and attain sustainable development. No doubt, there has been some success over the years with regard to malaria control. But, it is unacceptable that in the 21st century, with so much technological and medical advancements, large number of people should still continue to suffer and die from this preventable and curable disease.

During the last few years, the reported incidence of malaria has remained more or less static around 2 million cases. The burden may however, be much more, since a large number of cases, particularly those reporting to the private sector are not captured. Although the reported number of deaths have remained around 1000 during the last few years; this figure too, appears to be grossly under-reported. Under-reporting of malaria cases and deaths is due to several reasons, such as a weak surveillance system, inaccessibility to health care services as well as ignorance and inappropriate treatment seeking behaviour of the people.

Our success in malaria control efforts would stem from not only having sound health infrastructure, trained human resources but also having an effective community mobilization programme. The prevention of communicable, non-communicable diseases depends on community awareness and mobilization. And malaria is no exception to this principle. The cooperation of communities is an absolute necessity in adoption of appropriate vector control measure as well as timely treatment seeking behaviour. If we want to keep the fatality rate low, people need to be aware of the symptoms of malaria and the need to seek treatment in good time. However, we must keep in mind that knowing what to do is different from doing it, particularly at the appropriate moment. Therefore, specific behavioural goals and objectives must be targeted through strategic behaviour change communication planning and implementation.

The time has come to critically review the situation, our strategies and modalities of implementation at the micro level. Firstly, we must focus on strategic planning. Carrying out situational analysis in relation to assessing the burden of malaria particularly micro-stratification of districts based on eco-epidemiological data as well as gaps in delivery of curative and preventive services should be the foundation step in order to prioritize appropriate interventions.

To consolidate our efforts, under the National Rural Health Mission, untied funds are being released to Village Health & Sanitation Committees, Sub-centres, PHCs/CHCs and Districts. Personnel are also being positioned to address the crucial gaps in health care delivery infrastructure. The States/districts should optimally utilize this support for improving access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services to rural disadvantaged population in high risk areas for malaria.

You are aware that we had set the National Health Policy goal of reduction of mortality on account of malaria by 2010 and efficient morbidity control, thinking it is eminently achievable in view of availability of effective tools and expertise. We have to accelerate our efforts and quickly so, to realize these goals within the stipulated time line, more so, in view of the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the incidence of malaria by 2015. India should not miss the target because of ineffective implementation of control interventions.

There could be some constraints regarding malaria control. But, I must assure that funds and commodities would not be amongst those. I do hope that our concerted efforts and the spirit of the dedication and sincerity will make a difference in the burden of malaria and realization of the desired goals.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Keywords