Staff Reporter :
The country has achieved a significant progress in Malaria eradication in recent years and a target of eliminating the mosquito-borne infectious diseases is set by 2030.
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) authority disclosed the Malaria situation of Bangladesh and its elimination plans in a press conference held on the occasion of the World Malaria Day in the city on Sunday.
The Day will be observed on April 25 in cooperation with BRAC and WHO. This year’s theme of the day is “End Malaria For Ever.”
In 2014, the number of Malaria cases in the country was 57,480 while the
figure stood at 39,719 in 2015 and 27,737 in 2016, Dr MM Aktaruzzaman, program manager of NMCP told the press briefing.
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Director of Disease Control and Line Director of Communicable Diseases Control of DGHS Prof Dr Sanya Tahmina, Physicians and Representatives of local and international organizations, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Prof Azad said, “We have achieved a significant progress for declining of prevalence rate of Malaria cases in the country in the past couple of years as a result of sincere efforts and strong commitment of the government. If this declining trend continues, we will be able to free the country from Malaria by 2030.”
Other health experts said declining rate of Malaria cases in Bangladesh has been lauded globally, but it has to increase efforts and supervision to prevent to achieve the target of eliminating Malaria.
Alongside mobilizing financial resources, steps must be redoubled to launch awareness campaign to win the fight against Malaria, they added.
Thirteen districts — Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Sherpur and Kurigram – are the most Malaria endemic districts in the country, Dr Akhtaruzzaman said.
Of the 13 districts, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban contribute 93 percent of total Malaria disease, he added.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Plasmodium type. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, feeling tired, vomiting and headaches.
In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten.
The country has achieved a significant progress in Malaria eradication in recent years and a target of eliminating the mosquito-borne infectious diseases is set by 2030.
The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) authority disclosed the Malaria situation of Bangladesh and its elimination plans in a press conference held on the occasion of the World Malaria Day in the city on Sunday.
The Day will be observed on April 25 in cooperation with BRAC and WHO. This year’s theme of the day is “End Malaria For Ever.”
In 2014, the number of Malaria cases in the country was 57,480 while the
figure stood at 39,719 in 2015 and 27,737 in 2016, Dr MM Aktaruzzaman, program manager of NMCP told the press briefing.
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, Director of Disease Control and Line Director of Communicable Diseases Control of DGHS Prof Dr Sanya Tahmina, Physicians and Representatives of local and international organizations, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Prof Azad said, “We have achieved a significant progress for declining of prevalence rate of Malaria cases in the country in the past couple of years as a result of sincere efforts and strong commitment of the government. If this declining trend continues, we will be able to free the country from Malaria by 2030.”
Other health experts said declining rate of Malaria cases in Bangladesh has been lauded globally, but it has to increase efforts and supervision to prevent to achieve the target of eliminating Malaria.
Alongside mobilizing financial resources, steps must be redoubled to launch awareness campaign to win the fight against Malaria, they added.
Thirteen districts — Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Sherpur and Kurigram – are the most Malaria endemic districts in the country, Dr Akhtaruzzaman said.
Of the 13 districts, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban contribute 93 percent of total Malaria disease, he added.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Plasmodium type. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, feeling tired, vomiting and headaches.
In severe cases it can cause yellow skin, seizures, coma, or death. Symptoms usually begin ten to fifteen days after being bitten.
