ANTI MALARIA CAMPAIGN

1.  Introduction

Goal

    To ensure that malaria does not adversely affect the health status of the population, and the economy of Sri Lanka.

General objective

To bring about control of malaria to a level so that it would not be a major public health problem in Sri Lanka.

Specific objectives

a)      To reduce the present morbidity by 50% and present mortality by 75 % at the end of the 5 year period.

b)      To prevent malaria outbreaks / epidemics

c)      To minimise spread of P.falciparum malaria with special emphasis on drug resistant strains of P. falciparum malaria.

d)      To conduct special programmes to project high risk groups such as.

         Pregnant mothers

    Children (specially pre-school children)

    Displaced persons

Achievements in 2002 ( upto 31.7.02)

      i.        Examination of  889,679 blood smears for the purpose of detection of malaria parasite.

ii.      Carrying out 4,532 Rapid Diagnostic Tests for malaria in areas where microscopy is not available. 

iii.     380,000 indoor residual spray applications of insecticides in houses located in malaria endemic areas.

iv.    In-service training on “ Malaria Control ”  conducted for 35 D.DD.HS.

v.      In-service training on “ Malaria Control ” conducted for 155 PHII.

vi.    In-service training on “ Malaria Microscopy ” conducted for 109 Microscopists.

vii.   In-service training on “ Malaria Control ” conducted for 240 PHFAA.

viii. Distribution of 52,663 mosquito nets in highly malarious areas, with the insecticides required for the treatment of the nets.

ix.    Distribution of 6 double-cab vehicles to Provincial Malaria Control Programmes.

x.      Distribution of 233 push bicycles to Family Health Workers engaged in malaria control work.

i.        The following activities were implemented in 10 selected districts, under IDA / WB Health Services Project, until 30.6.02.

a.      Conducting malaria mobile clinics.

b.     Quality control of blood smear examination.

c.      Enhanced supervision of malaria control activities.

d.     Entomological field investigations.

e.      Training of health personnel on malaria control.

 Outcome

     i.        The countrywide malaria morbidity (Jan - Jul 2002) has been reduced by 32% as

ii.      compared to the corresponding in 2001.

iii.     Percentage of P.falciparum patients has been reduced to 13% as compared to 19% experienced during the previous year.

iv.    Mortality of malaria has been kept at an extremely low level.

v.      Countrywide malaria epidemics have been prevented.

vi.    In all malaria endemic districts pregnant mothers were protected against malaria by way of chemoprophylaxis.

 Malaria did not cause a problem to the population living in important Development Projects in malarious districts, thereby not causing by any impediment to the economic progress of the country.

 Incidence of malaria in pregnant mothers was reduced by a very considerable extent. The high incidence of malaria which prevailed in North-East        Province has shown a decline during this year.  

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