Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday directed the health department officials to work on a mission mode to control malaria and asked to intensify campaigning programs to increase awareness among people about malaria.

The Chief Minister on Friday chaired a review meeting with a delegation of the Union Health Ministry on malaria issues of the state.  Reviewing all the measures the Health Department took to prevent malaria in the state, the Chief Minister said that MPWs and ASHA workers should be used more to prevent malaria at the village level. The Chief Minister also emphasized on arranging special training for them in this regard.

Dr. Health Secretary Debashish Basu at the review meeting said, hilly hard terrain, hot and humid weather of the state is one of the causes of malaria in the state.

“The Health Department is working on malaria control plans in different parts of the state including hilly areas with all these issues in mind. Work is underway to distribute 1 lakh 14 thousand medicated mosquito nets in the remote areas of the Dhalai district. Initiatives have been taken to release Larvivorous fish in various reservoirs to prevent the spread of mosquitoes”, the health official said

The health secretary said that regular health camps are being organized to make the people of the remote areas of the state aware of the causes and effects of malaria.

The official further informed that regular meetings are being held with various government departments and NGOs at each district, sub-division, and block level for malaria eradication. Also, emphasis is placed on regular blood testing of Jhum farmers and training of community health officers.  The health secretary said that a delegation of the Union Health Ministry in the state has visited the malaria-prone areas of the state and the department is working hard to implement the issues identified in their observations. Rajib Majhi, Joint Secretary of the Central Health and Family Welfare Department and other health officials were present.