World Malaria Day 2008
Bangladesh stands with all
The first ever World Malaria Day was observed yesterday with a view to increase mass awareness and ramp up the global efforts to provide effective control of malaria around the world. Malaria, a serious infectious disease kills about over a million each year — mostly children. More than half a billion people are infected with malaria every year. Although the disease is preventable, a child dies from it every 30 seconds. Malaria is a disease of tropical and sub-tropical countries, and one of the major public health problems in Bangladesh. It is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Four species of plasmodia cause human malaria: P. vivax, P. falciparum,P. ovale and P. malariae. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant infection (61-71%) in our country. Out of 64 districts, 13 border-districts in the east and northeast are highly malaria endemic. About 98 percent of the total malaria cases are reported from these districts. Three hill tract districts — Rangamati, Khagrachari and Banderban have intense perennial transmission of malaria. The zone is extremely hard to reach area. A total of 14.7 million populations are at high-risk of malaria in the country. In 2005, a total of 242,297 clinical cases and 48,121 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported from these 13 high endemic districts of which, 501 died. There is gross under-reporting of the malaria cases and deaths in Bangladesh. It is assumed that the number of cases and deaths from malaria would have been three times higher if information from the community, NGOs, private hospitals and service providers could be included in the routine surveillance reports. The Malaria Control and Prevention Programme in Bangladesh have been accepted by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). It will cover 10.9 million vulnerable populations. A five year grant of 39.06 million USD has been approved by GFATM. With this support, Malaria Control and Prevention Programme have been expanded for diagnostic and treatment facilities up to the union level. Additional microscopic centers have been established and malaria diagnostic facilities have been made available at the community level. Partnership and collaboration with the government and partner NGOs have also been expanded and strengthen to expand malaria control programme activities in 13 high malaria endemic districts. To ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment (EDPT), malaria diagnostic and treatment facilities have been expanded and have been established in remote villages. A well equipped laboratory has been established at each of the 25 upazilas of Chittagong. Microscopic examination of blood slide for malaria parasite is performed in these laboratories. Present plan of Long Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs) distribution and treatment of existing bed nets with insecticide in three hill districts (Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari districts) among the total population of 14,03,245 and total households of 2,83,674. Total number of households covered under LLIN distribution are 1,91,891 and total number of LLINs to be distributed are 2,16,101. Number of existing bed nets to be treated with insecticide 1,82,000. The policy makers have stressed on prevention. Sleeping under insecticide treated nets for protection against mosquito bites is very important to prevent in the area where malaria is prevalent. Other effective methods of malaria control include indoor residual spraying, screening of houses, environmental management and killing mosquito larvae using pesticides. Bangladesh has shown success in roll back of malaria. But there is no room for complacency. As the world marks the malaria day, there is hope that special attention will go towards creating greater community awareness on the dangers the disease poses especially to women and children.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments