Jharkhand to be free from Kala-azar soon: Banna Gupta

Only one block in Littipada has cases in the state

Ranchi, January 4: Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta has claimed that the state will be free from Kala-azar very soon.

This claim was made during a video conferencing review meeting on Wednesday with Union health minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on eradication of Kala-azar in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya also inaugurated the video message given by Indian cine artist Manoj Bajpayee on Kala-azar. On this occasion, the message given by  Prime Minister, in his Mann Ki Baat program was also narrated, in which he said “control of sand fly and early detection and complete treatment of Kala-azar disease was very necessary.”

Dr. Mandaviya in his address directed that the supply of essential medicines is ensured by the Central Government, but their implementation will have to be ensured by the State.

Dr Bharti Praveen Pawar, minister of state for health, Government of India, said that for the total eradication of Kala-azar disease, there is a need to work under a well-planned strategy of identification of Kala-azar patients. He suggested that the new initiative of Jharkhand, in which intensive surveillance is done in rural areas through ambulances, can be adopted by other states as well.

Banna Gupta said that there are no kala-azar patients except only one block in the state, Littipada, which means the state is moving towards eradication of kala-azar.

“In the last year, out of 33 blocks in four districts of the state, there were five cases of Kala-azar were more than one per 10,000 population, now it is in only one block, Littipada. Jharkhand will be free from Kala-azar very soon in due time,” said Gupta.

“The Government is determined to eradicate Kala-azar and is working strategically in all areas affected by Kala-azar. By making an integrated micro action plan for eradication of Kala-azar, activities for its eradication are being carried out at village and block level and insecticide spraying (IRS) is being ensured in every house of Kala-azar affected villages,” said Rajesh Bhushan, secretary health, Government of India.

Dr. Tanu Jain, director, NCVBDC, Government of India, while emphasizing on the importance of collective efforts, said, “It is the responsibility of all of us to work towards eradicating Kala-azar. Combined efforts of line departments, self-help groups, frontline workers and development partners will help us achieve the elimination goals.