All fever cases to be screened for malaria in Nagaland
All fever cases to be screened for malaria in Nagaland
The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Department of Health and Family Welfare, urged all private and public healthcare providers to screen all fever cases for malaria
DIMAPUR — The
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Department of Health
and Family Welfare, urged all private and public healthcare providers to screen
all fever cases for malaria, stating that as the country is in the elimination
phase, it is crucial that no malaria case goes undetected.
In a press statement issued by Dr. E Motsuthung Patton,
Principal Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, it was stated
that, in the interest of public health and to ensure early diagnosis, proper
case management, and a reduction in the malaria burden, the government of
Nagaland, exercising the powers conferred under Section 2 of the Epidemic
Diseases Act, 1897, mandates that all healthcare providers, NGOs, civil society
partners, and other stakeholders must report every malaria case to the
respective authorities.
The details of positive cases must be immediately conveyed
to the chief medical officers, the district vector-borne disease (VBD)
officers, or the state programme officer to enable epidemiological assessment
and the implementation of necessary preventive measures.
It was informed that a suspected malaria case is defined as
a patient with fever in an endemic area during the transmission season or
someone who has recently travelled to an endemic area and presents with
symptoms consistent with malaria, including high fever, chills and rigours,
headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting, or unexplained fever.
A malaria case is confirmed when the presence of the
parasite is detected using at least one of the diagnostic methods: microscopy
of blood for the malarial parasite, antigen-based bi-valent rapid diagnostic
kit (RDT), and/or molecular diagnostic test.
For the purpose of this notification, healthcare providers
include clinical establishments managed by the government (including local
authorities), private or NGO sectors, and individual practitioners registered
under the Clinical Establishment (Registration & Regulation) Act, 2010.
Doctors in government health institutions and registered
private medical practitioners are required to immediately notify the respective
district health authority if a confirmed malaria case is detected in their
respective healthcare facilities.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Act No. 3 of 1897),
failure to comply with these regulations will be deemed an offence punishable
under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Strict legal action
will be taken against those who do not adhere to the mandatory reporting
requirements.
NVBDCP has sought the cooperation of all healthcare
providers, organisations, and individuals in this collective effort to
eliminate malaria and safeguard public health.
