Odisha Government has decided to launch a new malaria control programme called DAMAN in remote tribal-dominated areas.
Odisha has 62 types of tribes including 13 primitive tribes that constitute 22.3 percent of the state's population. The population is under high risk of malaria infection.
Annual expenditure of the programme will be INR 24 crore from the state budget.
The drive aims at supplementing malaria control activities that are routine and filling in gaps in case findings plus treatment among high risk population of endemic areas in remote villages.
DAMAN stands for
Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (Malaria Control in Inaccessible Areas).
It will be implemented in 8000 villages of all 79 blocks of eight high malaria endemic southern districts. These districts are - Koraput, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Nuapada, Kandhamal and Gajapati.
The initiative incorporates mass screening for malaria with treatment of positive cases along with intensified supervision, mosquito control measures and regular health education activities across the year.
Drive will continue for 5 years with total expenditure of
INR 120 crore.State government has sanctioned 10 crore to start the programme, which will benefit 80 lakh high risk people.
Incidence of Malaria in Odisha- Odisha has the highest incidence of malaria in India.
- Till 30th Oct 2016, 69 persons have died of malaria in the eastern state.
- As on 30th October 2016, total 3.71 lakh people tested positive for malaria, which is also highest for any state in India.
- District covered in the programme contributed 60% cases and 56% deaths to the state malaria burden in 2015-2016.
- Odisha contributes 38 percent of the reported malaria cases and 28 percent of the deaths to the country's total burden.
