REPORT OF THE observation of the WORLD MALARIA DAY 2017 Theme: “A PUSH FOR PREVENTION– END MALARIA FOR GOOD”

PARUL UNIVERSITY LIMBDA, VADODARA

REPORT PREPARED BY: Dr. Ankita Parmar

Dr.Dhara Zalavadiya

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Preventive & Social Medicine

Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research

GUIDED BY: Dr. Sidhyartha Mukherjee

Professor & Head

Dept. of Preventive & Social Medicine

Parul Institute of Medical Sciences & Research

INTRODUCTION

Recent success in the fight for control of Malaria has shown that prevention definitely works. Expanded access of malaria prevention tools, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying of insecticides and preventive therapies has significantly reduced the global disease burden for Malaria. These tools are saving lives, but they are still not available to many who need them. On World Malaria Day 2017, The World Health Organization (WHO), is calling on countries and their development partners to urgently improve access to these life-saving prevention tools.

World Malaria day is observed every year on April 25th, to create awareness regarding malaria. This year, the theme is “End malaria for good" Which paints the vision of a malaria-free world set out in the "Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030". Adopted in May 2015 by the World Health Assembly, the strategy aims to dramatically lower the global malaria burden over the next 15 years.

Students need to be sensitized on the topic of ‘Malaria and its prevention’ as they would encounter large number of cases of malaria. General Public needs to be oriented on mosquito control measures. They need to be guided to move out of the cocoon and take appropriate treatment for the disease at the right time.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

On a global scale, new malaria cases fell by 21% between 2010 and 2015. Malaria death rates fell by 29% during the same 5-year period. In 2015, there were 212 million new cases of malaria and 429,000 deaths. One child dies from malaria every two minutes.

Nearly 95% of India lives in Malaria Endemic Areas. In India, the disease occurs throughout the year across the country. However, it is more prevalent during and after the monsoons, due to mosquito breeding. It is a leading cause of death not only in India but worldwide. According to the WHO, India contributes 77% of the total malaria cases in Southeast Asia. Most deaths occur in young children. The disease is a great drain on many national economies.

Goal:

To sensitize the students and general public about malaria as a Community Health Problem.

ROLE OF PARUL UNIVERSITY IN THE OBSERVANCE AND AWARENESS GENERATION:

Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Parul Institute of Public Health & Parul Institute of Nursing are established under the Parul University, with the aim and vision towards excellence in public health and medical services. The University has always supported activities towards the betterment of health of the community and individuals in the society through the delivery of comprehensive healthcare, from “Womb to Tomb”, at the very doorstep of the community

Parul Sevashram hospital running under the same university has been providing preventive, promotive and curative services at a very low cost to the needy, in the nearby areas and villages. The beneficiaries can avail medical services at a cost they can afford including several free of cost services available at the referral centre. Parul Sevashram hospital provides services at the hospital and at the periphery to the community with free referral and treatment. It has been thus a long standing practice with the university and the hospital towards promoting health and well-being of the community by providing treatment and diagnostic services at a very low cost to the community.

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE PARUL UNIVERSITY DURING THE WORLD HEALTH DAY 2017:

Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Parul Institute of Public Health & Parul Institute of Nursing jointly organized a Malaria Awareness Rally on 25th April, 2017 on the occasion of World Malaria Day 2017, at village Madodhar. Madodhar village is one of the largest populated (around 2000) villages under the Rural Health Training Centre of Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. The objective of the Rally was to make people aware about the disease, it’s prevention and treatment. Around 50 students from the 3 colleges had taken part in the Rally and they were guided by the senior and junior faculty from all 3 Institutes.

Students had prepared for the rally in just 2 days. The idea of spreading awareness messages through placards and slogans was very effective & successful. It demonstrated that students could bond well with the local community & play an important role in behavior change communication among the lay community. Parul University gave an enthusiastic support to the students. Students from all three institutions utilized their academic knowledge & skills to interact with people and communicate the important messages relating to malaria control. During the rally, the local people were also taught about mosquito breeding places with live examples and steps were taken to drain them out. Students had made placards in Gujarati language conveying important messages for malaria control, all by themselves. The messages on malaria included:

Avoiding mosquito bite especially during night time. Eliminate places around your home where mosquitoes breed Spraying insecticides in your premises Sleeping under bed nets Using insect repellent Wearing long-sleeved clothing Fitting your home with wire mesh on windows Taking antimalarial drugs in case of fever & positive blood test, to kill the parasites

In this way they succeeded in bridging the gap between society and the youth. Local community were also given pamphlets containing information on mosquito control measures, by one of the students. Students spread & shared their enthusiasm & energy right from 9:30 am till 12:00 noon, without tiring.

The program on observance of World Malaria Day also included a talk on Prevention of Malaria by Professor in Preventive & Social Medicine for all students living in Hostels in the Parul University campus, from 5 pm to 6 pm.

The way forward:

Parul University shall continuously work and move towards the constant support, promotion &

observance of World Malaria Day during each coming year by creating support systems for the

same, not only during the day of observance, but also throughout the year, in its quest towards

excellence in curative and preventive services for the unreached & underserved community in

remote rural areas of Waghodia taluka.