Jamshedpur’s Malaria fight intensifies with 1 lakh testing target, Ambulances ordered to reach within 30 mins

Jamshedpur: The district administration of East Singhbhum has intensified surveillance, testing, treatment and awareness campaigns to contain the spread of malaria.

Reviewing the progress of malaria screening, the Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan informed that around 22,000 malaria tests have already been conducted across the district. He directed officials to significantly accelerate testing efforts to achieve the target of one lakh tests.

The health officials will strengthen surveillance and testing in malaria-affected villages and border areas. Community health workers (Sahiyas) will be trained to conduct Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) wherever required to increase testing capacity at the grassroots level.

Special testing drives will also be organised in residential schools, hostels, institutions and other community housing facilities where the risk of transmission is higher.

The DC has ordered ambulances to reach critically ill patients within 30 minutes or less. He also instructed officials to keep backup ambulance arrangements ready by coordinating with neighbouring blocks to avoid delays during emergencies.

The Civil Surgeon was instructed to ensure an adequate supply of fogging chemicals in all affected areas. Regular fogging operations will be carried out based on priority in malaria-prone localities, while panchayats lacking fogging machines will be provided equipment without delay.

Municipal authorities were also directed to launch a special cleanliness drive over the next three to four days by cleaning major and minor drains to eliminate stagnant water and reduce mosquito breeding.