Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Apr 29: World Malaria Day under the theme 'End malaria for good', was inaugurated by zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu, at IMA hall Brahmagiri on Thursday
April 27.

District health officer (DHO) Dr Rohini, in her keynote address said that the district health department wants to complete eradication of malaria by 2022, the actual target year is 2025 for this. However, they desire is to eradicate it three years early. The state government has instructed Malaria Day be observed in seven districts where the highest number of cases of malaria are found. They also aim to maintain malaria free status in areas where transmission has been halted and prevent reintroduction of Malaria.

She further added that the main objectives of the programme are to eliminate malaria from all categories, reduce the incidence of malaria, interrupt indigenous transmission and prevent the re-establishment of local transmission.

The main cause for increasing malaria case is lack of surveillance activities conducted.

She added that the public must follow organic method of storing water and must take precautions during construction work. There is need for control over host factors and agent factors. Maximum number of cases have been found in Malpe.

Dr Rohini said, nearly 403 malaria suspected cases have been reported and blood samples have also been collected from January to March 2017. No death cases have been found.

In his inaugural address Dinakar Babu said, "The department has failed to curb malaria. So therefore more attention must be paid on maintaining a clean environment. Everyone must maintain cleanliness in their houses and their surroundings. Awareness can be created through students and so students should be made to create awareness among public as well.

District surgeon Madhusudhan Nayak, ZP vice Sheela Shetty, health department assistant Premanand, CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje were present.