Govt To Integrate All Vector-borne Disease Control Programs Under One Umbrella

Health experts on Wednesday said the government has planned to integrate all the vector-borne disease control programs under one umbrella to achieve maximum results as the mode of spread is same.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2018 ) :Health experts on Wednesday said the government has planned to integrate all the vector-borne disease control programs under one umbrella to achieve maximum results as the mode of spread is same.

They were addressing a seminar at National Institute of Health (NIH) held here in connection with World Malaria Day, organized by Directorate of Malaria Control Pakistan. National Coordinator of Malaria Professor Dr Aamer Ikram said world malaria day is commemorated annually on April 25 to re-affirm the commitment towards malaria elimination.

He added the Directorate of Malaria Control Pakistan has been commemorating the day since 2008 at the national and provincial levels. "This day reminds us of the challenges towards malaria elimination and the day gives us an opportunity to celebrate our successes." The efforts of the workers are recognized and highly appreciated by the authorities to sustain the motivation of the workers, he added.

Professor Dr Aamer Ikram said malaria is a disease having severe socio-economic and health consequences. He said the government of Pakistan at Federal and provincial levels in collaboration with partners has shown its commitment towards malaria control and its elimination from the country.

The federal and provincial governments are spending many resources for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Partners like The Global Fund are also investing to control and eliminate malaria from the country.

He said Pakistan is making significant progress towards achieving global targets set for the control and elimination of malaria. Incidence of deadly form of falciparum malaria has been remarkably reduced over the last five years.

This was made possible with the support of partner agencies, donor organization and private sector. The Global Fund has provided support of more than 100 million US Dollar over the last five years to implement malaria grant.

The Global Fund grant is currently being implemented in 66 highest endemic districts and agencies of FATA, KP, Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab. With the same support, more than 4000 diagnostic and treatment centers have been established so that each suspected case is tested and confirmed case is treated with quality drugs while more than 14 million bed nets have been distributed.

In 2018, additional three million bed nets will be distributed in 12 highest endemic districts and agencies of the country. In 2019, 2.7 million bed nets will be distributed in 17 districts and agencies of Pakistan.

On this occasion Dr Baseer Khan Achakzai Director Malaria said malaria control has prepared national strategies, policies and guidelines which are fully aligned with targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO Global Technical Strategy.

Introduction and expansion of effective interventions such as the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), Artemesinin based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of falciparum malaria and the promotion of long lasting Insecticide treated bed Nets (LLINs) has brought a revolution in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention program of the country.

Dr Baseer Khan said the efforts against malaria control need further to be enhanced with strong political commitment, financial resources and improved surveillance through new and improved tools.

He said "We should not lose the gains against malaria. We have to ensure that the malaria control efforts are back on track and malaria is again included in the country priority disease list." A high level national and provincial malaria control and elimination task force need to be established to further sensitize and mobilize the domestic resources and track the progress towards Malaria free Pakistan by 2030.