India takes on malaria in its highest burden state
Since 2000, India has made major inroads in reducing the toll of malaria. But the path towards elimination has proven a challenge in the eastern state of Odisha, which carries more than 40% of the country’s malaria burden. In recent years, the state government has dramatically scaled up efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria – with impressive results seen in a short span of time. The work follows the recommendations of the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria which calls for early case detection, prompt treatment and the widespread use of mosquito-control measures.
An army of 900 000 trained Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, serve on the front lines of India’s attack on malaria. They undergo rigorous training by the state government before being deployed across Odisha to detect and treat malaria, and to prevent new cases of the disease.
India photo story 1
An army of 900 000 trained Accredited Social Health Activists, or ASHAs, serve on the front lines of India’s attack on malaria. They undergo rigorous training by the state government before being deployed across Odisha to detect and treat malaria, and to prevent new cases of the disease.
A community-based health activist takes a blood sample from a villager in Odisha, which will be used to test whether he has malaria. ASHAs are trained to deliver life-saving antimalarial medicines, if needed, on the spot.
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Here, a community-based health activist takes a blood sample from a villager in Odisha, which will be used to test whether he has malaria. ASHAs are trained to deliver life-saving antimalarial medicines, if needed, on the spot.
Villagers who test positive for malaria are issued health cards that provide a detailed record of their medical background and treatment regimens. ASHAs monitor progress of those who have been treated for malaria.
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Villagers who test positive for malaria are issued health cards that provide a detailed record of their medical background and treatment regimens. ASHAs monitor progress of those who have been treated for malaria.
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Sleeping under an insecticide-treated net is one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria. With the support of ASHAs, the government distributed approximately 11 million nets free of charge in Odisha in 2017 – enough to protect all residents in areas at highest risk for malaria.
Lowering the burden of malaria in high-risk areas entails more than just distributing mosquito nets. ASHAs go door to door at night – when the mosquitoes bite – to ensure the nets are being used correctly.
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Lowering the burden of malaria in high-risk areas entails more than just distributing mosquito nets. ASHAs go door to door at night – when the mosquitoes bite – to ensure the nets are being used correctly.
At a government high school in Kudutuli village, Odisha, students participate in a malaria awareness initiative focused on personal protection measures. The performance seen above was held just before monsoon season, when malaria rates are highest.
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At a government high school in Kudutuli village, Odisha, students participate in a malaria awareness initiative focused on personal protection measures. The performance seen above was held just before monsoon season, when malaria rates are highest.
Across Odisha, the government has expanded access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets in schools with hostels. Students are taught how to set up the net and ensure it is tucked in properly.
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Across Odisha, the government has expanded access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets in schools with hostels. Students are taught how to set up the net and ensure it is tucked in properly.
Indoor residual spraying (IRS) – which involves spraying insecticides on the indoor walls and ceilings of homes – is another powerful way to rapidly reduce malaria transmission. Here, an IRS worker sprays a home in the Kandhamal district of Odisha.
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Indoor residual spraying (IRS) – which involves spraying insecticides on the indoor walls and ceilings of homes – is another powerful way to rapidly reduce malaria transmission. Here, an IRS worker sprays a home in the Kandhamal district of Odisha.
In villages across Odisha, malaria prevention messages are woven into plays performed by travelling troupes. After the performance, the actors ask questions of their audiences to ensure the messages were received and understood.
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In villages across Odisha, malaria prevention messages are woven into plays performed by travelling troupes. After the performance, the actors ask questions of their audiences to ensure the messages were received and understood.
The performances are often captured by audience members on mobile phones and shared with friends and family on popular chat applications, creating an information ripple effect in the community at large.
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The performances are often captured by audience members on mobile phones and shared with friends and family on popular chat applications, creating an information ripple effect in the community at large.
In some areas of Odisha, the sides of vans are transformed into mobile message boards focused on mosquito control. Loudspeakers play popular native tunes that incorporate malaria prevention guidance in the lyrics.
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In some areas of Odisha, the sides of vans are transformed into mobile message boards focused on mosquito control. Loudspeakers play popular native tunes that incorporate malaria prevention guidance in the lyrics.
The numbers testify to the impact of these collective efforts. According to government figures, there were 295 000 malaria cases reported in Odisha between July and December 2016 – 56 of them fatal. During the same time period in 2017, the number of cases had fallen by nearly 50%, to approximately 156 000. Fatalities fell by more than two thirds, to 16 deaths.
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The numbers testify to the impact of these collective efforts. According to government figures, there were 295 000 malaria cases reported in Odisha between July and December 2016 – 56 of them fatal. During the same time period in 2017, the number of cases had fallen by nearly 50%, to approximately 156 000. Fatalities fell by more than two thirds, to 16 deaths.