Bhubaneswar: In a major initiative to curb the deadly Malaria menace in Odisha, the State Health Department today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based 'Malaria No More' and India-based Malaria Elimination Trust. The agreement was signed with both the organisations in presence of Health Minister Pratap Jena.
Along with undertaking special strategies, the MoU aims at creating public awareness, maintaining coordination between various government and non-government organisations and embarking on research work in the State.
“This MoU aims at making Odisha ‘Malaria Free’ and creating awareness about the best practices to prevent Malaria in Odisha,” said Pratap Jena.
As per official reports, the number of cases affected by the disease has reduced to almost 84 per cent as compared to last year.
Sources further claimed that as many as 1.13 crore mosquito nets medicated with larvicides were distributed this year which is why the disease took a beating in the State.
The Health Department also stated that because of the success the State has achieved over the past one year in controlling the menace, several organisations have shown their interest to work in collaboration with Odisha.