Malaria claims 196 lives in 2006, funds remain unspent

Itanagar, Jan 30: Even as malaria claimed 196 lives in Arunachal Pradesh during 2006, Rs 64.91 lakh meant for various malaria control programmes remained unspent following non-fulfillment of official formalities.

This was revealed during a review-cum-evaluation meeting of district vector-borne disease control societies here yesterday.

Admitting the death toll, Health and Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho expressed serious concern and called for a multi-pronged approach to contain the menace.

''The media has always been ahead of us in reporting the deaths and health problems.'' He called for a constant vigil and timely implementation of pro-active measures to tackle the scourge.

Any negligence at the ground level, particularly delay in submitting utilisation reports would not be tolerated and stern action would be initiated for dereliction of duties, he cautioned while blaming the district medical officers for non-utilisation of funds.

Actions are important than plans, said health secretary T Bagra while taking part in the meeting and advocated for a proactive role of all health managers of the state instead of being reactive during crisis.

''This alone would help achieve complete success in preventing a single death,'' he said and warned that a lackadaisical attitude would be tolerated.

For prompt reporting of the outbreak and deaths, a centrally sponsored programme, namely computerised integrated diseases surveillance programme would be launched by March next, Mr Bagra disclosed adding, a MoU has been signed with the Centre under National Rural Health Mission for the purpose.

The district surveillance officer supported by a three-member rapid response teams would monitor the situation and coordinate with Dr. L Jampa, state epidemiologist as programme officer, who in turn would coordinate with the Centre.

Stressing on a joint action plan for reducing morbidity rate, Dr. N Palit, regional director Research on Health and Family Welfare (ROH&FW), Shillong, informed that funded globally, Integrated malaria control programme (IMCP) was a 100 per cent centrally sponsored five-year scheme to cover 100 million people spread over 94 districts in 10 states, including North-East. Community participation is a must for the success of IMPC, he added.

Admitting various weaknesses in the surveillance system, health director Dr P P Chaliha said the tribal customs do not allow visit of doctors after any death in remote areas. Moreover, lack of awareness, geographical disadvantage, communication hazards and transportation problems were other factors contributing to delay in reporting, he informed.

Informing that against a projected annual requirement of Rs five crore for IMCP, only Rs 1.40 lakh was sanctioned, he advocated a well-structured micro level district plan to identify vulnerable areas and strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

He also suggested involvement of para-military forces and civil societies for its success.

Dr Jampa disclosed that during 2005-06 Rs 64.91 lakh remained unspent, which included Rs 40 lakh under IMCP, Rs 7.38 lakh under enhanced malaria control programme (EMCP) and Rs 17.53 lakh under behavioural change&communication (BCC); while no bed nets were received against the requirement of 1,25,000.

The state has been divided into 14 malaria districts besides setting up of surveillance&entomological units at Miao (for 7 eastern districts) and Kimin (for 7 western districts). He also highlighted about various training programmes and SOS missions to tackle malaria epidemic at Bana in East Kameng and Deomali in Tirap district with the direct involvement of the minister.

While many district officers in confidence informed that money never reached them, Bagra clarified later with honesty that the IMCP funds received through state plan was delayed as the programmes were brought under the societies involving lot of procedures.

UNI