RAIPUR,CG: The proactive steps undertaken by the Health Department, Government of Chhattisgarh has resulted in a drop of Malaria Positivity Rate from 4.60% to 0.51% over the course of nine phases from 2020 to 2023.

The prevention of diseases like malaria in the dense forests and inaccessible areas of Bastar division has always been a major challenge.

As per the claim made by the health and family welfare department, out of the total number of malaria cases in Chhattisgarh, 61.99% originate from Dantewada, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. The annual parasite incidence rate, the malaria rate in Chhattisgarh dropped from 2.63% in 2018 to 0.99% in 2023. Similarly, in Bastar, the rate decreased from 16.49% to 7.78%.

Under the malaria eradication campaign, the malaria positivity rate has declined from 4.60% to 0.51% over the course of nine phases from 2020 to 2023. The tenth phase of the campaign concluded on July 5, 2024. As part of the campaign, 16.97 lakh insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed across 22 districts in the state.

In the malaria case report released by the health department for the first half of 2024, as many as 1,660 cases in Bastar, 4,441 in Bijapur, 1,640 in Dantewada, 259 in Kanker, 701 in Kondagaon, 1,509 in Narayanpur, and 1,144 in Sukma were documented. Consequently, the health department has enhanced case monitoring and strengthened the treatment facilities in all the districts.

The state government has appealed to people to immediately visit the nearest health centre upon noticing malaria symptoms and seek timely treatment. Government’s vigilance and public awareness has led to significant reduction in the number of malaria cases in the state.