Sunday, February 7, 2010

Appreciable Step by Dr Manoj Kumar: Long lasting insecticidal net helps checking Malaria

Long lasting insecticidal net helps checking Malaria
Merinews, Feb 5, 2010
CJ: Dr Manoj Kumar

Malaria is an endemic problem in India. The complicated bionomics of the vector species makes it non eradicable. Integrated vector management is a best strategy to control malaria in India.

GOVERNMENT OF India, has supplied long lasting insecticide nets (LLIN) to all high endemic districts of India, for the first time in the history of malaria control in India. The fibres of the nets are built with deltramethrine and which will stay with the fibre up to nearly 3-4 years in the net. It can be washed up to more than 20-25 times and there is no need of impregnation at all.


Due to its excitorepellency effect, the mosquito can not sit over it. The efficiency of the net is tested in South Africa as well in Western Orissa in different ecological conditions. Its efficiency and durability is highly appreciable. This project is supported by the World Bank in 13 districts of Orissa. Kalahandi is one of the high endemic districts and got about 1 lac LLIN in the 1st phase.

The district malaria office is in the process of distribution of the net in the bordering panchayats of Kalhandi, as well as giving entire coverage to Thuamul Rampur and M Rampur Block.

The distribution process is guided by the collector and district magistrate, Kalhandi. Chief district medical officer, Additional district medical officer, nodal officer and VBD consultant are working hard for smooth and early distribution of the LLIN to all beneficiaries. Block development officers, child development project officers, Medical officers in charge, Malaria Techincal supervisors, ANM, AWW, and ASHA are also working well to ensure that not a single family be excluded from LLIN. Pregnant women are given 1st priority and LLIN are distributed to them free of cost, while a token amount of Rs.5/-(five only) is collected from the rest of the LLIN beneficiaries.

The money collected thereof, will be deposited in the village itself in the account of Gaon Kalyan Samiti (GKS), which can be spend in the village for other health programmes and activities.

Personal prophylactic measure is the best means of integrated vector management to control the men-mosquito biting.

Still awareness is a major factor that plays in its successful implementation. Most of the pockets are poverty stricken; there are chances that people can sell the net for the sake of money. To avoid this, each LLIN is coded with a code number from which the name of the beneficiary, village name, panchayat and block name can be known.

The media and literate people of Kalahandi who are living outside Kalahandi and well wishers of the districts are requested to kindly inform their near and dear for a malaria free Kalahandi.

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