Odisha Plans Targeted Malaria Action Plan, Malkangiri to Get Special Focus

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning a targeted strategy to curb malaria in high-risk areas, with Malkangiri set to undergo a comprehensive field assessment to strengthen disease prevention, surveillance and treatment.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the State Technical Task Force on Malaria Prevention and Control of Other Vector-Borne Diseases, held at Kharavela Bhawan under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Commissioner-cum-Secretary Ashwathi S.

The task force reviewed the latest malaria situation across districts and assessed the progress of ongoing control measures. Additional Director (Vector-Borne Diseases) Dr Subhasish Mohanty presented details of the disease burden, programme implementation and operational challenges.

Malkangiri was identified for particular attention because of the significant number of malaria cases reported from the district. A State team headed by the Additional Director will visit all blocks and undertake a detailed assessment of the prevention and control programme.

Based on the field findings, the team will prepare a block-wise action plan focusing on surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rapid response. A comprehensive report will subsequently be submitted to the Health Secretary.

The State has also decided to standardise the monitoring mechanism for malaria-control activities. All collaborating institutions and agencies will follow a common monitoring format approved by the government to ensure uniform reporting and better coordination.

Tribal residential schools in vulnerable areas will receive additional attention under the strengthened strategy. District authorities have been asked to improve preventive measures in schools located in malaria-prone and border regions and ensure early detection and timely treatment of cases.

A separate technical team comprising experts from RMRC Bhubaneswar, the Office of the Senior Regional Director of WHO and State specialists will review the existing guidelines on malaria control.

The team will develop an evidence-based State action plan tailored to Odisha’s requirements, with a focus on strengthening rapid response mechanisms in districts and areas reporting a higher disease burden.

National Health Mission Mission Director Dr Brundha D., senior officials of the Health and Family Welfare Department and representatives of various departments attended the meeting.