|
 
Malaria is a major public health problem in the world. It
continues to afflict the poor nations and the poor most. Freedom from malaria
is the basic right of humankind, yet malaria is among the top 10 killer
diseases in the world. Annual estimates vary between 300 to 500 million
clinical episodes of malaria and 1.5 to 2.7 million deaths worldwide, 90% of
which occur in tropical Sahara. Outside Africa,
some two-thirds of the remaining cases occur in just three countries; Brazil,
India and Sri
Lanka. However, malaria is exists in some
100 countries.
|
|
In 1948-50, no specific malaria control programme was in
existence is termed as pre-control era. During this period the malaria
incidence was estimated around 110-115 million cases. During 1950-56, the
control phase and during 19960-69, the eradication phase, when proper control
interventions were on in the member countries to control malaria had achieved
tremendous success and malaria incidence came down considerably. Countries of
the region experienced resurgence of malaria in mid 70's, and over the
decades switched over to control concept by decentralizing the programmes
through Primary Health Care System. The scheme of things not only allowed
flexibility in intervention methods but allowed a good deal of community
involvement. This approach yielded good results and the rising trend of
malaria was halted and stabilised around 3.5 million cases annually for the
last five or six years. But the strategy failed to arrest the rising trend of
P. falciparum infection. Starting with 19.6% of total cases in 1970 the ratio
rose to 41.3% in 1991.
|
(Click for enlarged view)
|
|
In
1992, Global Malaria Control Strategy was introduced to control malaria with
four basic elements e.g., early diagnosis, prompt treatment, selective and
sustainable vector control and early detection of forecasting of epidemics.
Though the revised malaria control strategy has been implemented in all
countries of the region but however, the desired results could not be
achieved. However, in 1998, Maldives has been granted Malaria free
status as no indigenous cases were reported from Maldives since 1984. But in contrast, in
DPR Korea, which has malaria free status, reported the malaria outbreak in
its southern states bordering to South Korea in 1998.
Roll
Back Malaria (RBM) initiative has been endorsed by WHO resolutions EB 103.R3
and WHA52.11. It was launched by WHO Director General in 1998 as WHO global
project. It is bringing together the biggest players in health with the aim
of halving the malaria death rate by 2010. This programme has been brought
together more than 90 multilateral, bilateral, NGOs and private organizations
as well as it has raised the profile of malaria , particularly through its
April 2000 Summit in Nigeria.
In
South East Asia Region, Member countries support to Roll Back Malaria (RBM)
was expressed at the Health Ministers meeting in New Delhi, 3-5 September 1998. RBM was
subsequently endorsed by the Inter-country Meeting of National Malaria
Program Manager, Pattaya, Thailand, 22-27 February 1999.
Meeting
on Implementation of Collaborative Activities on Roll Back Malaria, New Delhi, 4-6 May 1999 concluded that
mainstreaming of RBM into health sector development would enhance efforts in
achieving the objectives of malaria control. South East Asia-Regional
Committee in the fifty-second Session deliberated on Roll Back Malaria and
mainstreaming of anti-malaria activities in health sector development on 22nd
July 1999.
Member
countries support to RBM was re-inforced by the 17th meeting of Ministers of
Health of Countries of SEA, Yangon, Myanmar,
12-14 October 1999
|
))