The Jharkhand government has issued a statewide alert following the deaths of at least four malaria patients in East Singhbhum district. Additional Chief Secretary of the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, has instructed all deputy commissioners to take immediate and comprehensive measures for malaria prevention and control. Districts with malaria cases are required to develop and implement action plans promptly, enhance surveillance, and ensure accountability at all levels.
Active field surveys will be conducted in areas with high fever incidences by Multipurpose Health Workers (MPWs). Immediate testing of all suspected malaria cases is mandated, with treatment commencing promptly upon confirmation of infection. Critically ill patients must be admitted to hospitals and provided with necessary medical care, while proper treatment, monitoring, and follow-up for all malaria patients are to be guaranteed. Additionally, any new malaria case discovery in a locality will trigger a mandatory mass or fever survey across the entire area.
Under the new directives, village-wise malaria data will be compiled, and health workers in severely affected villages will be supplied with Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits and essential medicines. Community Health Centres are instructed to maintain sufficient stocks of testing materials and anti-malarial drugs. Authorities are also tasked with intensifying insecticide spraying and larval control efforts in affected regions.
The government has also mandated a large-scale public awareness campaign to promote timely testing and preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases. To enhance monitoring, a three-tier review system has been introduced, including weekly reviews at the Community Health Centre level, fortnightly reviews by Civil Surgeons, and monthly district-level review meetings chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.
Ajay Kumar Singh has urged all deputy commissioners to personally oversee malaria control programs to swiftly contain the disease and prevent further fatalities.
