the goan I network
PANAJI
The fines are part of the department’s National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and the central government’s National Framework for Malaria Elimination to be achieved by 2030.
The migrants, known to carry the malaria parasite, have to visit the nearest primary health centre once they enter the State. On being checked, each worker is given a health card that is renewed every year. The fines collected this year have reduced compared to that of last year which totaled Rs 15 lakh.
Speaking to The Goan, Dr Chandrakant Porob, deputy director holding additional charge of the NVBDCP in Goa said the major part of the programme was to reduce the source of mosquitoes by promoting clean surroundings and conducting tests among the migrant community.
“What needs to be highlighted is how people and the community as a whole can keep their surroundings clean and reduce the number of mosquitoes breeding. We also had awareness programmes for those coming from outside the State for work to get tested,” he said.
The success of the programme can gauged by the fact that 1,530 cases of malaria were reported in 2013. The number has seen a sharp decline to 824 positives in 2014 and 651 positives last year.
This year (January to May) has seen only 115 indigenous cases of Continued from P1
malaria. The department also registered a total of 53 confirmed cases of dengue and seven confirmed cases of chikungunya.
Dr Porob also raised caution against fogging. “Fogging is only to be carried out as a last resort and only creates a temporary relief. The need is for the community to come together and make sure there are no areas where breeding occurs. The problem with fogging is that there may come a time where mosquitoes themselves may be resistant to it,” he said.
The Centre had declared June as Anti Malaria Month before the onset of the monsoons to prevent the risk
of malaria.
Malaria cases:
Jan-May 2016
# Indigenous cases: 115
# Dengue: 53
# Chikungunya: 7
