Malaria Claims Over 100 in Tripura, Tough Road Ahead

Agartala, 11th July 2014:

Mungiakami temporary health center in Khowai district. It’s a CRPF godown now turned into temporary health center for treating malaria. There were 68 other patients at the center on 4th July, 2014 during our visit.

Six-year-old Jenny tested positive for malaria at her village, and was taken to the hospital where she received treatment. The girl returned to the village on completion of her treatment in a few days, much to the relief of her family. The man behind the successful intervention was Chandra Halam, from the same village as Jenny.

Halam, who had received medical training arranged by World Vision India earlier, has now helped about 75 malaria patients. But not all malaria victims are as fortunate like Jenny.

With more than 100 deaths and many others affected, Tripura has been struggling to contain the raging epidemic in its many villages. Medical personnel are currently being airlifted to remote locations, to combat the spread of the disease.

Many temporary health centres have been set up to treat malaria patients, like the CRPF godown in Mungiakami at Khowai district and Kasturbha Gandhi Balika Vidhyalaya in Ganganagar. Most malaria patients also have jaundice also, which makes it more dangerous - especially among children.

The need of the hour is to create awareness among the worst-affected tribal population. Since victims refuse to take the full-course treatment which takes 3-4 days due to loss of livelihood, many remain dormant germ carriers resulting in possible recurrence of the epidemic. Patients who have not completed the course are also prone to become drug-resistant. However, for immediate results, what is needed is massive testing and treatment initiatives covering every village so that no household is left out.

Community center in Ganganagar, Dhalai district. 49 patients were present on 5th July during visit. The health worker shared that many patients without completing their full medical course has returned home.

IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS

o Reaching the remote villages by air or vehicles at the earliest
o Deployment of more qualified medical professionals
o Large-scale distribution of blood-testing kits and medicines through Village Development Councils or Panchayats
o Deployment of mobile clinics in challenging locations with minimal access to health centres
o Free distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets
o DDT to be sprayed in all villages, involving community people
o Better awareness communication to be done in various local languages and dialects apart from Bengali.

“Different components need to be looked into for effectively mapping the intensity of the malaria issue - environment, government health systems, social & culture practices of the tribal people, poverty, illiteracy etc. The urgent need is to reach out to all people especially in remote places. We cannot wait for them to come to health centers or approach health care - we should reach them first,” said Chandrakanto Molsom from World Vision India. Unless urgent action is taken, thousands might fall prey to the deadly disease.

World Vision India is a Christian grassroots humanitarian organisation that serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender. Through development, relief and advocacy, we strive/seek to create lasting change in the lives of children, their families and communities living in contexts of poverty and injustice.

World Vision works in nearly 100 countries worldwide, and we have been in India since 1962. Today we work in over 5300 urban, rural and tribal communities spread over 163 districts across 24 states impacting the lives of 24 lakh children.

Kasturbha Gandhi Balika vidhyalaya school in Gulchora village closed for a month now still has malaria patients being treated there.

For media queries contact:
Teresa Sahaya,
World Vision India
[email protected]

Impuri Ngayawon,
World Vision India
[email protected]

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