Plan in place to make Gadchiroli malaria-free

 

 

Gadchiroli is one of the six districts of the country identified as the most affected by malaria by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. But now, an important step has been taken towards making it malaria-free with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing that a malaria eradication plan will be implemented aggressively from April 1, 2025. Fadnavis informed that instructions have been given to make a provision of Rs 25 crore for the plan through Tribal Development Department.

 

The Indian Council of Medical Research has also noted that insecticide resistance has developed in mosquitoes in the district. Therefore, controlling malaria in Gadchiroli is a priority. Various decisions were taken in 2017, including forming a special task force for malaria eradication. The task force headed by Dr Abhay Bang prepared a plan, incorporating the recommendations of national and global experts. Now, efforts will be made to make Gadchiroli district malaria-free soon by effectively implementing the recommendations in this plan from April 1, 2025, said the Chief Minister at Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will also provide a significant assistance for the work. Sun Pharma will be involved in this project.

 

Sun Pharma’s Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control in India (FDEC) has worked in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh for malaria eradication. It has developed a model of administrative procedures and technical means. Sun Pharma will help in training manpower, monitoring field programmes and technical review. The contribution of Gates Foundation and Sun Pharma will provide significant help in making Gadchiroli district malaria- free, asserted Fadnavis.