Malaria status in India with focus on Odisha State having maximum disease burden

• Main Author: Swayam P Parida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2015-01-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: Malaria; Trend; Newer Interventions
• Online Access: http://gjmedph.com/uploads/R-Vo4No5.pdf

Worldwide malaria remains a major public health problem. The situation is worst in South East Asian Region & Sub-Saharan Africa. In India more than 90% of people live in malaria endemic areas. Apart from increased morbidity & mortality malaria affects the socio-economic status of a country. Odisha, a State with only 4 % of India’s population records maximum disease burden. In last decade a changed epidemiology is being observed and malaria has spread from rural and tribal areas to urban and newer territories due to urbanization, industrialization and developmental projects. Many decades have passed after launch of National Malaria Control Program but the rate of decrease in malaria caseload seems unsatisfactory. The various challenges involved in malaria control are under-reporting, increased drug and insecticide resistance, inaccessible areas and poor health infrastructure in high burden areas. Various newer interventions have been included in malaria control program such as Insecticide treated bed net; Artesunate-based combination therapy for P falciparum cases, bivalent Rapid diagnostic test etc. In addition to robust surveillance and appropriate treatment, a strong political commitment, community awareness and more funding is required to reduce disease burden.