Gujarat govt’s anti-malaria campaign kicks off in state

The state government initiates an anti-malaria campaign every year in the month of June, to spread awareness regarding the disease and its prevention. Cases of malaria are known to rise around this time every year.

This year, the state machinery has started its precautionary anti-malaria campaign much before the number of cases registers a rise. Alok Kulshreshthi, district malaria officer, said, "We begin an anti-malaria campaign in June every year. This year, we organised a workshop as a part of the campaign which was attended by about 200 people."

The attendees were briefed on symptoms of malaria, chikan gunya, dengue and falciparum malaria. Technical details regarding its first line drugs, quinine and primaquine, were given. Details of the treatment of a complicated type of falciparum malaria, which is called 'artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT)' according to the new drug policy, were also given out during the workshop. A road show and live presentation on techniques of curbing numbers of mosquitoes, also took place as a part of the anti-malaria campaign.

Medical students, school children, lab technicians and medical officers attended the workshop. This workshop was a part of the anti-malaria drive and awareness campaign organised at Science City by the state health department. Dr Sunil Avasia, deputy director of state (medical) and Dr GC Sahu of the family and health welfare department of the government of Gujarat remained present at the workshop.