Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 31: Malaria has been on the downslide. For the last two years, the disease has shown a declining trend and reached the two-digit mark. The city corporation has launched an elaborate programme to completely weed out malaria from here.

The city had been known as the capital of malaria in the past. During the last five to six years, the corporation had succeeded in exercising a tight grip over the spread of this disease. Over the years, malaria has been showing a downward swing.

From 1,068 cases in January 2015, the malaria cases declined to 342 in 2018. In 2020 the cases further declined to 145 from where the number has further shrunk to mere 76.

After a software was introduced to implement Malaria control measures, initially the numbers swelled as results started to be accounted for from all the laboratories, Because of Malaria control measures, the disease has been firmly on its back foot since sometime.

As per the system, the figures obtained from all the laboratories and hospitals about malaria affected people, are routed through the malaria software to the health department of the corporation. Thereafter, the corporation deputes MPWs to these areas where they undertake larva destruction, conducting contact smear tests of locals, visiting the same area again after 14 days and confirming about the health condition of the patients before the files are closed.

Malaria control committee has not met for the last few years. Mayor Premananda Shetty, stated that the administration is making all arrangements to root out malaria, which already has a very low presence in the city, from the city. Shetty said he wants to bring malaria cases down to zero. He said that the committee will meet some day to discuss the plan of action.