Malaria

Malaria is a major problem in the tribal areas of India. An estimated 50% of all malaria cases, 70% of all falciparum malaria cases, and 90% of all malaria deaths occur in tribal areas.

The high incidence of malaria in tribal areas is due to a variety of factors. Environmental risk, both in terms of vector ecology and personal exposure, geographic challenges to access, coupled with poverty and poor health services  fuel an ongoing epidemic.

What we are doing

Guppies, which eat mosquito larvae, are distributed to help control malaria

With some financial support for insecticide treated bednet distribution, we have embarked on an aggressive campaign to improve mosquito net availability and use in families. All pregnant women are given a bed net upon registration.

We also take an integrated approach adapted to the local epidemiology of malaria and its vectors, focusing on building the capacity of communities for malaria control at the village level. This is accomplished via training and interacting with village level health workers and creating awareness about the disease through workshops, kala jatha, and wallpapers. We promote environmental measures such as filling ditches, soak pits, and used oil spraying. We also use larvivorous fish to control mosquito populations, and run hatcheries at three sites.

Utilizing school buses, we are able to provide same day test results for suspected cases of malaria

Previously, we have developed a system of transporting smears from the remote villages to our Ganiyari clinic. The smear report is available to the Village Health Worker (VHW) by the same day. This led to earlier referral of patients with severe malaria with fewer deaths. Now with the advent of rapid diagnostic tests, this is no longer needed. Laboratory confirmation of malaria improves compliance with a full course of treatment, prevents over prescription, and improves the management of non-malarious fevers.