Rise in imported cases prompts push for screenings and community action
PANAJI
After reporting zero local malaria cases in 2023, the Goa Government is now aiming to completely eliminate the mosquito-borne disease by 2025-26.
Announcing the plan, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the government has made malaria screening and issuing of health cards for all labourers at construction sites mandatory under the Goa Public Health Act.
A recent study by the Directorate of Health Services, as reported in The Goan, has highlighted that Goa is facing a growing threat from imported malaria cases. These cases have more than doubled, rising from 585 in 2022 to 1,209 in 2023. With more construction activity and many migrant workers coming in, areas like Panaji, Aldona, Porvorim, Betqui, Candolim, and Siolim in North Goa, and Margao in South Goa, have seen a rise in imported malaria cases.
In a post on X, Rane said that Goa is in the elimination phase of malaria, aiming to achieve complete elimination by 2025-26. As part of this, a proposal has been submitted to seek the Sub-National Malaria Elimination Award for South Goa for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
“To sustain this progress and eliminate vector-borne diseases, the Directorate of Health Services has issued an advisory to various departments to focus on sanitation practices across different regions,” he posted.
Rane added that mandatory malaria screening and health cards for all labourers at construction sites have been implemented under the Goa Public Health Act. The government, he said, is also working with various government departments, private societies and other stakeholders to improve monitoring and prevention.
“This fight against vector-borne diseases requires equal community participation by keeping surroundings clean and eliminating mosquito breeding sites,” Rane emphasised.
Experts say that in the last decade, local malaria cases in Goa have dropped sharply, and the state appears to be on track to achieve its elimination goal.
However, despite the fall in local cases, imported malaria cases continue to rise, showing that high-risk groups carrying malaria keep arriving in the State.
