Mangaluru: The Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim held a meeting of district health officials, officials from the MCC and officials from the Malaria Control Programme (MCP) regarding malaria control at the DC office here, on January 29.
A PowerPoint presentation comparing malaria cases in 2014 and 2015 was show. It was noted that, although the number of cases had decreased in 2015 the trend where the number of cases increased in December was clearly observed. Reports in the Wenlock hospital said that there were 14 deaths due to malaria.
The MCP officials said that the increase was due to the migrant population. This excuse was however rejected as it was found that the number of cases among the migrants were quite negligible. They also did not have any clue about the deaths. “You are just misleading us by giving these kinds of excuses. A proper accountability should be maintained and appropriate actions should be taken,” said DC Ibrahim.
A Software was launched in September 2015 to record cases of malaria in the district, but it was found that the teams visiting the construction sites to monitor the spread of malaria were not filing their reports through the software. The Dc was furious at the officials who gave many excuses.
There were several reasons given for the high number of malaria cases in Mangaluru, like Multi Purpose Workers (MPW) were visiting only multi storey construction sites for malaria screening, proper data not being filed as the officials just signed the registers and filled random data, few MPW’s were neglecting their duty.
District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna said, “Breeding sites should be found and proper action should be taken henceforth, there is no point in arguing.”
Dc Ibrahim asked to conduct a proper survey regarding the malaria cases in the district and deaths due to it.
ADC Kumar, ZP CEO Srividya, DMO Dr Rajeshwari, MCC Environment Officer, Manu Kumar, Dr Arun Kumar and others were also present.