Bhubaneswar, India, October 09, 2007: Faced with an uphill task of controlling malaria, the Orissa Government is carrying out GIS mapping of all its districts. The mapping is based on sub centre wise epidemiological data of three years – 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Health Department has completed work for eight districts while updated data for another 14 is ready.
‘Once we have the GIS database, malaria control planning will be fresh and innovative for us,’ a senior official said. The State accounts for the largest number of malarial deaths in India while its Pf share is equally high.
With a number of districts showing resistance to malaria drugs as well as DDT, the department is looking for answers. This has prompted the Health department to go in for newer strategies. The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) here has already shown the way in this regard. It conducted GIS mapping of Angul district to carry out research work. The mapping can give complete idea about the eco-system of an area which is under GIS, vulnerable pockets, its entomological profile, correlated data as well as the disease base.
Importantly, in case of an epidemic, the changes can be monitored, while it gives a correct platform for prediction too. That was a reason why Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advised State Government to take up GIS mapping of the malaria-prone areas.
