Seventh Phase of Malaria-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign

• 26 Nov 2022

Why In News?

• According to the information received by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on November 25, 2022, the seventh phase of 'Malaria Free Chhattisgarh Campaign' in the state will start from December 1. The campaign will be conducted for a month in four malaria sensitive districts of the state namely Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that this campaign is being run continuously in the state to achieve the goal of a complete malaria-free state by taking malaria cases to the lowest level.
• The last six phases of malaria-free Chhattisgarh campaign in the state have yielded good results. The annual parasite index (API rate) in the state was 2.63 in 2018, which has now come down to 0.92. Along with Bastar, the rate of malaria infection in the whole of Chhattisgarh has reached the lowest level so far.
• In the sixth phase of Malaria-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign, the health department team went to 7 lakh 6 thousand houses and tested 33 lakh 96 thousand 998 people for malaria. During this time, people found to be malaria were also treated immediately.
• In the seventh phase starting from December 1, the health department team will reach door-to-door in inaccessible and remote areas surrounded by dense forests and mountains of four districts of Bastar division Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma and check malaria in all the people. During this time, those found positive will be fed malaria medicine immediately.
• Under the Malaria-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign, along with the investigation and treatment of malaria, public awareness related activities will also be conducted to prevent it. During this time, people will be encouraged to use mosquito nets daily. Also, DDT or burnt oil will be sprayed in the water and drains collected around the houses. Measures to maintain cleanliness around the house and prevent mosquitoes from breeding will also be told to the people.