Malaria claims 60 lives in Meghalaya

Shillong, July 7 (UNI) The number of malaria related deaths is increasing everyday, particularly among children in remote villages of Balat and Dangar, even as the health officials here claimed that the outbreak of the disease is ''under control''.

At least 60 people, especially school students, died of malaria in the past two months at Balat, Dangar and other adjacent villages in East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya bordering Bangladesh.

Informing UNI here that the outbreak of malaria is under control, State Director Health Services Dr H K Lakiang said measures have been taken by the state government by providing immediate life saving medicines, spraying DDT and giving mosquito nets.

State's West Khasi Hills district Civil Surgeon Dr Patgriri said the government had provided 'expensive' life-saving medicines to those suffering from malaria.

However, leader of the Balat Dangar Border Health Development Committee T K Raswai accused the government of not paying due attention despite 60 people having lost their lives.

Mr Raswai said the Committee has decided to meet health officials here soon, urging them to send medical teams to contain the disease.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Elstone D Marak said so far he has not been officially informed of the Malaria deaths in Balat and Dangar areas.

However, he said he had sought for a medical report from the health officials on this matter.

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