The state’s overall figures show a drastic decline from 1,530 cases in 2013 to 824 in 2014 and 188 till June 2015. Primary Health Centers (PHC), Community Health Centres (CHC) and district hospitals have also shown similar trends in decreasing number of cases of malaria.
Candolim’s PHC had registered 389 cases in 2013 which reduced to 84 in 2014 and this year has registered only 25 while Margao’s UHC registered 384 malaria cases in 2013 and has this year reached 40. In Vasco’s UHC, 110 patients were registered as having malaria in 2013 though 2014 saw 66 and this year only 13 were registered.
The main reason for this considerable decrease in the cases of malaria, say the department is due to the preventive measures undertaken. Their major initiative in surveillance and case management includes the early detection and complete treatment where blood is tested for the malaria parasite as well as the use of Rapid Diagnostic Testing at all health centres.
The department also informed that as a public health measure, they had made it mandatory for every labourer to have a health card after getting screened for malaria. This card has to be renewed every three months.
Other measures the DHS has implemented include an integrated vector control measure by spraying and introducing fish in stagnant water, fogging with pyrethrum in areas where cases were reported and with a rapid response team set in place.
