Malaria Prevention Drive in Parvathipuram Manyam, 779 Villages to Host Medical Camps

Visakhapatnam: In response to the recent heavy rains, the Parvathipuram Manyam district administration would launch immediate measures to prevent malaria and other seasonal diseases.

District collector Prabhakar Reddy has asked officials to identify 779 high-risk villages, where malaria cases have historically been high, and said special medical camps would be set up without delay. To strengthen surveillance, door-to-door surveys are being conducted by three specialised teams in each village.

The teams comprise ASHA workers, ANMs, health assistants and CHOs. These teams are tasked with identifying individuals with fever, conducting malaria blood tests, and providing free on-the-spot treatment for those who test positive.

Medical camps are being organised daily in two sessions, from 9 am to 12 noon; and again from 2pm to 4pm, with the participation of health supervisors. Reports are to be submitted to the DMHO office by 5pm each day, while medical officers have been directed to inspect the camps during both morning and evening hours.

“We are working with the goal of ensuring not a single death occurs due to malaria in the district,” Prabhakar Reddy stated, urging departments such as Panchayat Raj, rural revenue, ICDS and education to coordinate closely to curb the spread of the disease.

The collector also issued guidelines to the public and educational institutions to help eradicate malaria. He stressed the importance of preventing water stagnation around homes and in overhead tanks, old tyres, coconut shells, coolers, and flower pots.

He directed the release of Gambusia fish, known as ‘fighter larva’ fish, into ponds and water bodies to control mosquito larvae. Additionally, he mandated the strict observance of ‘Dry Day’ every Friday in homes, offices, schools, colleges and hostels to ensure surroundings remain dry and mosquito-free.