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Malaria outbreak in Tripura
The state government has been forced to buy second generation drugs in order to deal with the outbreak of malaria. But there is no respite for the people in the worst hit areas of Dhalai and South Tripura district.
What is being done to contain this menace is to send medical teams and these teams rush to the spot whenever news of rising death toll reaches the block, sub division or in some cases the district headquarters.
The death toll has increased proportionately from 20 in 2005 to 44 in 2007 despite firefighting measures taken by the state government.
While over 18,008 people were diagnosed with malaria in 2005 the number of affected people increased to 23,375 in 2007.This scribe recently visited some of the worst affected malaria hit areas in South Tripura. The areas include Hrishyamukh and Rajnagar in Belonia sub division. Talking with the doctors as well as the high ranked officials, one could gauge the fact that the situation is indeed alarming. As a matter of fact the situation is not showing any signs of improvement. Talking with EASTERN PANORAMA Dr Bikas Majumdar said that they were trying everything possible in order to make sure that the situation does not get out of hand. Giving details, he further added that every week health camps are being organized in the remotest corners of the subdivision. But he was quick to admit that every week they get reports of fresh outbreak of malaria from newer far flung areas.
Funds are flowing like anything under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme. And believe it or not 
funds are going back as the authorities in this case mostly doctors are not able to spend the amount allocated for this purpose. SDMO of Belonia subdivision Dr R K Nandi also watches helplessly as funds come and go. The hospital in Belonia is also flooded with malaria patients and doctors including the SDMO have to toil hard throughout the day and night but to no avail.
Security force personnel including BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles jawans alongside Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel are the ones facing the wrath of malaria.
The central forces have the medical units attached with the battalions. But the TSR jawans are not so lucky. There is growing anger among the TSR jawans over the apathy on the part of the state government to look into their woes and protect them from the outbreak of this deadly disease.
Interestingly enough it is seen that the tribals in far flung areas do not use the mosquito nets supplied to them. These are instead used to catch fish. There is also allegation of spreading of DDT in the affected areas. This year the state government has not been able to use the helicopter service to reach out to the interior parts of the state. This has meant that the quick reaction that was a noticeable feature in the previous years is missing altogether.
Mithu Shiva
