National News

HYDERABAD, (APP): Malaria is a deadly disease and if it is not
treated on time, then it becomes difficult to save the patient through medication.
Manager, Provincial Malaria Control Programme (PMCP), Dr Naheed Jamali
talking to APP here on Monday, said that Malaria was 4th major cause of death among communicable diseases especially in Africa.
She said that the unavailability of statistics in the country regarding
the affected people by malaria is heartrending whereas treatment of this disease is also very expensive.
In Pakistan, she said that all out efforts are being made to control
Malaria, but its prevention could not be possible without the cooperation
of the people, she said and added that majority of the people are unaware about the prevention of disease, resulting suffering severe gravity of the disease.
Malaria is a blood infectious diseases in which patients suffer from
fever, anemia and possibly jaundice, she added.
Dr Naheed said that cerebral malaria affects child’s brain in
which after fits child may go unconscious. Parents should immunize
their children against diseases like polio, black cough, measles,
hepatitis B, chicken pox, flu, meningitis, tuberculosis and other
diseases so that they could be protected, she urged.
She stressed the need for creating awareness in masses about malaria.
She pointed out that malaria could be controlled if diagnosed early and prompt treatment, being a principal technical component, was a global strategy towards controlling the disease.
She said that only three percent people have immunity to fight the
disease without taking any medication but in normal circumstances if a patient is not treated it may even result in death. Special attention must be given to high-risk targets such as children, elderly people and pregnant women.
Dr Naheed Jamali also suggested administration of anti-malarial
medicines to the persons visiting from non-endemic areas, persons from Pakistan visiting hyper endemic areas. Relevant medicines could also be given in intermittent doses to pregnant women in the second and third trimester, she remarked.
She maintained that it was high time to join hands to contain malaria,
which ranked third among major infectious diseases, mainly afflicting children and pregnant women.
Dr Naheed Jamali said that education of people and doctors and promotion
of research activities could play an effective role in eradicating malaria.
She stressed for promotion of personal protection measures against
mosquito-bite, including maintenance houses in good and hygienic condition, prevention of stagnation of water, netting of house and use of insecticide treated bed-nets, use of mosquito repellent lotion, creams, mats and coils.
Dr Naheed emphasized that Malaria is preventable and curable. She
further added that more research work is needed to contain the vector of malaria.
Dr.Naheed Jamali stressed the need for allocating more funds for health.
Later, an awareness walk was arranged on the premises of LUMHS, press
club Hyderabad, Pareatabad hospital, Bhitaie hospitals participated by doctors, paramedics and people from different walks of life.
Participants carried banners inscribed with messages in connection with
the World Malaria Day.