Raipur
The Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan campaign in Maoist-hit Sukma has led to a substantial reduction in malaria cases in the district. In 2024, malaria cases decreased by 80.59% and 85.27% compared to 2018 and 2015, respectively. The Annual Parasite Incidence (API), which stood at 62.11 in 2015 and 46.48 in 2018, fell to 8.20 in 2024.
The Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan began in January-February 2020. The 11th phase of the campaign concluded successfully in February 2025. While 16,599 malaria positive cases were reported during the first phase, the 11th phase saw 2,391 cases.
The 12th phase of the Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh campaign commenced on June 25, 2025. This phase aims to screen 2,98,765 people, including residents of all hostels, ashrams, potacabins, and paramilitary camps.
Survey teams will visit 6,455 houses in 422 villages across 95 sub-health centres in three blocks. There are 1,568 survey teams deployed for this purpose. A total of 171 hard-to-reach villages are being surveyed on a priority basis during this campaign.
A key feature of the campaign is the door-to-door visit by survey teams. They screen all family members using Rapid Diagnostic (RD) tests. If a person tests positive, they receive full treatment. Patients are given treatment cards for follow-up, and stickers are pasted as a record. Nail marking is also done for identification. Positive cases receive local food to ensure they do not take medicines on an empty stomach. The community is also encouraged to use long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and participate in mosquito larva source reduction activities. Empty blister packs are collected from patients to confirm treatment completion, and follow-up blood slides are examined to ensure parasite clearance.
So far, 24,331 people have been screened, with 503 malaria positive cases identified and treated. About 71% of these cases were asymptomatic.
The Commissioner of Health Services, Dr Priyanka Shukla, has emphasised that the Malaria-free Campaign for Bastar is a top priority for the state government. She instructed officials to develop an effective action plan for the initiative. She chaired a review meeting on the progress and implementation of Health Department schemes at the District Hospital Sukma.
Dr. Shukla instructed officials to conduct follow-up blood sample tests on malaria-positive patients one month after recovery. She also highlighted the need for special attention in the Chhindgarh and Konta blocks, as these areas report a higher incidence of malaria.
Field officers and health workers must regularly visit these areas and ensure that individuals suffering from fever are tested for malaria.
