Malaria situation worsens in Odisha as world celebrates Malaria day 

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, April 25:

The malaria situation continues to remain grim in Odisha even as the world is celebrating ‘World Malaria Day’ today. The number of patients has risen sharply this year as compared to previous year.

malaria

While 2.28 Lakh people suffered from this disease in the state in 2013-14, it went up to 3.95 Lakh in 2014-15. While 67 people lost their lives in 2013-14, the number went up to 89 in 2014-15.

Seven districts of Southern Odisha continue to be the worst victims. While 5594 patients were identified in Gajapati district in 2013, it went up to 8979 during 2014. Similarly, In Kalahandi, 20,120 patients were identified and 12 died in 2013 and the number went up to 29,533 patients and six deaths during 2014.

In Koraput, while 25, 000 were infected. the numbers went as high as 37,247 in 2014. However, th number of deaths fell from five to four last year. In Malkangiri, while 11,658 patients were identified and 2 died in 2013, the numbers went up to 18,678 patients and 10 deaths in 2014. In Rayagada, more than 31,000 patients were identified and two had died in 2013 but in 2014, it went on to 41,745 patients and five deaths in 2014.

Overall, Odisha ranks number three in the country in terms of malaria patients identified while Tripura tops the chart.

No matter how much the government spends, it is just not able to contain the spread or the deaths caused by the disease as proven by these statistics.

It may be noted that the World Malaria Day is celebrated every year on April 25 to create awareness against the disease that continues to take lakhs of lives every year around the globe. As many as 6.27 Lakhs died of this disease worldwide in 2012.  As many as 106 countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and certain parts of Europe suffer from this disease.

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