61 malaria deaths in Meghalaya

Shillong, Dec 11 (UNI) Meghalaya's Health and Family Welfare Minister Elstone D Marak today said as many as 61 deaths casued by malaria were reported in Jaintia Hills district.

He told the state assembly that another 1701 patients had been affected by mosquito-borne disease there.

Replying to Zero hour notice raised by ruling member (Independent) Pynshai Manik Syiem, Marak said the government would also apprise the Centre to assist the contain the spread of this communicable disease.

The government sent a medical team to investigate by collecting blood samples, he informed, adding the present situation was however, under control.

Mr Marak said, ''Most deaths have also occurred due to villagers are being treated by non-experienced medical practitioners and villagers refusing the use of DDT spray in their surroundings.'' He said most of the villagers have refused to get their blood test, but even then radical treatment for fever has been given to all. He said focal spray has been conducted at -- Thangrain, Thadsning, Nongdhar, Moorathud and Nongtalem - villages in Jaintia Hills.

Mr Marak said the government would also soon open a Fever Treatment Depot and Drugs Distribution Centre at the village level to be manned by School teachers, anganwadi workers, ASHA or any other members authorised by the traditional institutions.

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