Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 15:
Apart from the proposed opening of malaria drug distribution centres at remote areas the State government is also studying the option of implementing a new scheme to eradicate the disease.
The new scheme endorsed by the Union Ministry of Health has provisions for paying/reimbursing amount incurred in transportation or journey undertaken by patients right from the house upto the health centre where he/she would be treated, informed a State Malaria Office source.
Stating that the Ministry had prepared the scheme exclusively for the North East Region, the source conveyed that State Malaria Office is assessing the ground reality in order to translate the proposed scheme into action effectively.
In the initial stage the said project would be on experimental basis for a duration of two years and necessary amount for the same period will be sanctioned by the Ministry.
Depending on the satisfaction of the Ministry during the two year trial period the scheme would be extended for five more years on Central Government funding and later on to make the programme a permanent one, the source said.
Pertaining to setting up malaria drug distribution cells in remote area of the State where health facilities are inadequate, the source informed that the SMO has received names of local volunteers to man/run the cells.
Maintaining that training on composition and names of malaria-prevention drugs, detection and differentiation of symptoms would be provided to the local volun- teers, the source also expressed confidence of opening the cells, each capable of catering to requirement of 1000 patients, within first week of February month, next year.
The source also disclosed of medical teams rushed to Tipaimukh and Parbung areas of Chura-chandpur on November 30 to contain reported out-break of malarial diseases that had claimed 24 lives with most of the victims being children.