Malaria cases decrease in West Bengal

Kolkata, Jul 15 (UNI) West Bengal witnessed a significant decrease in malaria cases and deaths due to the disease during the past two years because of adequate preventive measures, Health Minister Surjya Kanta Mishra said today.

Replying to the debate on the budgetary proposals for his department in the Assembly, the Minister said there was more than 50 per cent reduction of death due to malaria during 2007 compared to 2006.

Mr Mishra said while malaria cases in 2006 and 2007 were 1,61,260 and 86,132 respectively, figure of deaths came down from 203 to 100.

'' All the malaria control activities in the state are guided by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programmes and the strategy for controlling the disease is based on Early Diagnosis and Prompt Treatment (EDPT), '' he observed.

Mr Mishra informed that there were 6,333 Drug Distribution Centres (DDC) in the state along with 7,702 Fever Treatment Depots (FTD) across the state.

Referring to the steps taken for improving health infrastructures in the rural areas, he said the government had devised a six fold strategy to improve curative medical services in the villages.

Mr Mishra also said the state government was considering to introduce a 3-year diploma course in Medicine and Public Health which was recommended by the Central Council of Health.

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