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With the
outbreak of Malaria in Purakhasia, located in the Indo-Bangla
border belt of West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, and the situation
turning for worst from the third week killing at least 22
people, an anti malaria awareness drive has began in Garo Hills
to tackle the situation.
 The PHC
dead record made available on May 20 has put the death toll
suspected to be of malaria 22, of which 11 (eleven) where below
13 years of age and rest where above 14 years. These are the
reported cases, which had come at the latter stage for check
up/diagnosis.
There are about 80 villages in this belt of West Garo Hills,
which is under the crept of malaria epidemic for the last few
years. "But lack of awareness has been a clear indication, as
majority of the masses are still ignorant about the diseases",
said a rural health worker.
In the last one week maximum cases of reported malaria has come
from Babelapara, Genapara, Necdalgre, Pukachandi, Darang adu,
Churabudi, Sanda adu, Chengapara, Nakgatgre, Balong, Chobo
Bolong and Grejin field.
In an average the PHC registers at least more than 50 patients,
with 80 per cent of them detected to be malaria positive, the
common parasite in Garo Hills in Plasmodium Viva.
On May 10, out of 90 patients screened for Malaria, 32 were
detected to be positive, on May 11, of over 80 screened for
Malaria, 42 were detected to be positive, on May 12 out of over
100, 55 were detected to be positive. This ratio has gone up in
the third week of May. However, unofficial data put the dead
toll above 55 in the last one month.
It was observed that most of the death has occurred because the
patients were brought to the PHC at a later stage. Some also
complain that they don't come to the PHC, as doctors are not
available.
Most prefer to take local medical aid, being practice in this
area, or they take Paracitamol and Choloriquin tablets which are
easily available in the local clinics. Some also says that since
the PHC was situated at a distance, they prefer not to come.
From District Health and Medical Officer, Dr. Meera Sangma, we
have learnt that a Doctor was deployed in the PHC from May 2, as
report of malaria came up. The present strength of PHC is they
have four nurses, one laboratory assistant and one Pharmacist.
The villagers have their own say on this.
It can be mentioned that Malaria is the number one killer in
Meghalaya. The disease is fast spreading to many areas of state
as reports are already coming from West Khasi Hills district.
Last year, the killer disease had claimed at least 171 lives. In
the recently concluded assembly session the Opposition has
accused the government of not taking adequate emergency measures
to deal with the situation.
Now, with malaria menace killing lives, the massive anti-malaria
drive which has begun from May 19 in the district, the crusade
against the deadly mosquito will go on, as medical and
paramedical staff goes on to create awareness of Malaria and
Gastrointestinal diseases. May
23. 2007
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