[Pakistan] Malaria outbreaks alarmingly in Fata areas: Director Health

from The Pak Tribune

PESHAWAR, April 10(Online): Five out of seven tribal agencies of FATA have been declared as high risk areas where malaria has been on the rise and the government has set up 30 health centers to control the disease under Roll Back Malaria Control Programme.

The high risk agencies are Khyber, Bajaur, Kurram, South and North Waziristan where the number of reported malaria cases detected so far is the highest. The Health Directorate of FATA has provided modern detection and treatment equipments to all the 30 centers while special arrangements have been made for professional training of medical staff working at the centers.

Private sector too is being actively involved in anti-malaria control activities by imparting them necessary training in timely detection, treatment and prevention of the disease to minimize the risks to the people posed by the ailment.

According to health officials at FATA directorate in Peshawar, so far 88 private sector doctors and medical technicians underwent orientation courses. Similarly, five laboratory technicians each from all the five agencies were imparted specialized training in Lahore.

A foreign NGO, Health Net is also assisting the health authorities in anti-malaria activities.

The Rollback Malaria movement, a global programme involves The World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, governments and private sector partners.

Malaria claims 1.5 million lives world over every year mainly due to falciparum which is the dominant specie.