Malaria Hits Bondas Again! Thanks To Ineffective Govt Elimination Drive

Malkangiri: From the launch of malaria control programme- Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) to spending crores of rupees for elimination of this serious vector-borne disease, Odisha government has undertaken several initiatives to check malaria in inaccessible areas of the State. However, the programme seems to have miserably failed in effectively combating the disease among the Bonda tribe in Malkangiri district. Sources said, more than 250 people of the community are being tested positive for the disease every month.

According to reports while more than 30 people who have been affected by malaria are currently undergoing treatment at Khairaput Community Health Centre, more than a hundred blood samples have been tested malaria positive in the CHC.

Student inmates of two hostels in Mudulipada also have fallen prey to malaria menace gripping the area for the last 15 days.

Sources said that not only people living in the Bonda Ghat, but also more than 3,200 people in other parts of the district have been tested malaria positive till date. As many as 9,333 people were tested malaria positive last year, added sources.

Asked about the outbreak of the disease, doctor Suresh Barik who is part of the health team visiting the area, said, “Usually we conduct awareness programs for the Bondas and last year malaria was under control. However, this year the number of the malaria patients has gone up. But we are closely monitoring the situation.”