What is the Issue ?

• In 2017, Punjab had launched a campaign, “Malaria Elimination by 2020”, with pomp and show. The programme, however, seems to have remained ineffective as over 1,000 cases have already been reported this season. The number has been increasing for the past two years.
• As per the Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, 920 cases of malaria have been reported in the state in 2019 so far. The number is already much higher than the previous year’s 624 cases. It is despite the fact that a large number of cases are reported in the months of October and November.
• In 2016, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme had placed Punjab among 15 states where the target was to eliminate malaria by 2020. It was expected that by 2020, the state will achieve zero indigenous cases and deaths due to malaria.

Reasons for State's Dismal Performance

• In the beginning of 2017, the state government had announced to distribute free insecticide-treated nets in certain areas of the state, which have not been distributed so far.
• The two crucial medicines which are used in malaria treatment — Chloroquine and Primaquine — are not available in a large number of government hospitals and dispensaries.
• Also, the rise in number of cases in Punjab may be due to migratory population.

The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME 2016-2030) was launched with the goal to eliminate malaria from the country by 2030. However, being a category 1 state, Punjab aspires to become malaria-free by 2020 itself. The State needs to take timely effective steps i.e providing necessary equipments such as insecticide-treated nets, crucial medicines in all government hospitals and dispensaries especially in sensitive areas and to spread awareness among people to curb the spread of this disease.