By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 29, 2018: Odisha government on Tuesday signed MoU with ‘Malaria Elimination Trust’ and US-based ‘Malaria No More’ to get technical support in controlling the spread of vector-borne disease in the state.

“Odisha has taken several initiatives for malaria elimination and have become successful in reducing its menace for which these organisations have evinced interest in working here with us. Because of the Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) Scheme in inaccessible areas the state could successfully reduce the rate of monthly average malaria cases by 85%. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised the state government for this achievement,” said health and family welfare minister Pratap Jena.

In 2014 as many as 3,95,004 persons were affected in Malaria and 89 persons died while in 2015 number of affected persons increased to 4,36,792 and 80 persons died. The number of malaria affected persons in 2016 and 2017 are 4,49,697 and 3,52,140 respectively. However, by July this year only 41,937 persons are affected in the disease and two persons died, official said.

Jena stressed the need for creating awareness through routine activities to control the vector borne disease. “A proper guideline and charts will be prepared to make people aware on issues like elimination of mosquito breeding areas, personal protection measures, maintaining sanitation and cleanliness and adopting hygiene practices,” Jena added.

As Odisha accounts for over 40% of the total malaria deaths in the country, the DAMAN programme was started in 22 districts in 2016.