BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government has decided to go back to the traditional village messengers to drum home the message to arrest the spread of malaria in tribal districts. As part of its innovative measure, the Health department has asked districts to use the services of the local drum-beaters __ “dakua” in local parlance __ to sensitise the people. Beginning June, which marks the transmission season of the vector-borne diseases, the drum-beaters will start using their traditional skills to send across awareness capsules in the villages. Each “dakua” will beat drum for an hour every week for which he will be paid a remuneration of `50.The Gram Kalyan Samiti (GKS) has been asked to identify the drummers and use their services. According to Deputy Director, Health Services (National Vector- Borne Diseases Control Programme) Dr Madan Mohan Pradhan, the districts have been asked to identify the vulnerable pockets where the drum-beaters can operate all through the transmission season. The messages will be in tribal dialect, depending upon the district and its indigenous inhabitants. The “dakuas” will be trained by the district health office. At least 30 “dakuas” will be roped in by each district. Malaria, one of the major diseases in the State, witnessed high incidence during the transmission season which spans from June to October. The annual parasite incidence (API) of 10 and more is recorded in the tribal districts of south and western Odisha, including Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Nuapada and Deogarh. The reason behind taking the services of the traditional drum-beaters is that most of the districts are highly forested and hilly where access by the Health department is minimal. In fact, these districts contribute more than 80 per cent of malaria cases and 64 per cent deaths in the State. Besides, employing the “dakuas,” the Health department is also trying to influence the “disari” (priests as well as quacks) who have sway over the locals and dish out treatment. Since they have negative opinion about the modern drug system, the department is trying to sensitise and restrain them. An analysis released by the Health department on the occasion of World Malaria Day on Wednesday revealed that of 98 deaths out of 100 in 2011, fiftynine were adults and 41 children. At least 62 per cent deaths were reported in 10 high endemic districts where illiteracy and BPL numbers are high. Over the last year, however, malaria incidence in districts such as Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Koraput dropped by 60 per cent. The World Malaria Day meeting was attended by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya, Secretary Anu Garg and NRHM Director Dr P K Meherda.
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