Malaria to be made notifiable disease

Monsoons bring welcome relief from the scorching heat, but they also bring with them a host of illnesses, notably dengue, Chikungunya.

In a meeting held to review the preparedness for prevention and control of vector borne diseases (malaria, dengue, and chikungunya) in the national capital, the Union Health Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan urged the state government and the Mayors to work towards making hospitals, schools and government buildings 'Vector-Free'.

He also suggested that Malaria should be made a notifiable disease, which was assured by the Delhi Health Minister.

In the meeting, it was also suggested that all hospitals, including the private ones, should appoint a nodal person for vector-borne diseases to ensure that the Government and private interventions and efforts to prevent/ cure vector-borne diseases are in tandem. The focus should be on active case finding of cases and reduction of vectors.

What each doctor can do

 ·         Ask every suspected case of dengue, chikungunya or malaria to trace the mosquito breeding site in the vicinity of 50 houses.

·         Surgical strikes on all the mosquitoes in the vicinity of identified cases can make the difference.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA