Health min says ‘no malaria death acceptable’, 20 urban docs shifted to Potka

Health Minister Declares Zero Malaria Deaths Unacceptable, Relocates 20 Urban Doctors to Rural Areas

Bharatmorningnews.com – On Saturday, the East Singhbhum health department relocated 20 medical professionals from urban centers to the Potka region, initiating a comprehensive campaign to detect and treat malaria cases across 20 villages within the Potka Block. This move came alongside a stern warning from Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari, who emphasized the need for strict measures against health workers showing negligence, stating that “no malaria death is acceptable,” according to officials.

Dr. Sahir Pal, the district civil surgeon, personally oversaw the operation by visiting several villages and assessing the ongoing health initiatives on Saturday. He noted that the 20 doctors were reassigned from urban Ayushman Arogya Kendras in Jamshedpur to rural Ayushman Arogya Kendras under the Potka community health center. Their efforts now include conducting mass screenings, performing field tests, distributing medication, implementing fogging measures, and promoting awareness in 20 villages and nearby settlements.

“At least 20 doctors stationed at urban Ayushman Arogya Kendras in Jamshedpur have been moved to rural centers under the Potka community health facility. These physicians are actively engaged in large-scale testing, administering treatment, and organizing awareness programs across 20 villages and adjacent areas. Between June 29 and July 18, over 1,66,000 individuals were tested in the district, resulting in the identification of 2,300 malaria patients, with 1,828 cases classified as cerebral malaria,” Dr. Sahir Pal informed HT on Saturday.

Officials confirmed that 114 new malaria cases were identified on Friday during a test of 12,918 people, with 80 classified as cerebral malaria, 32 as general malaria, and two as mixed infections. The Potka area alone accounted for 57 of these cases, bringing the total in the block to 833.

Dr. Ansari also announced his intention to visit malaria-affected regions in Kolhan division soon. “I will soon inspect the outbreak areas in East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum districts, ensuring that doctors and health staff adhere strictly to protocols,” he stated. However, he noted that his visit to Jamshedpur was delayed due to the absence of the local MLA, though he plans to address the situation once the MLA is available.

Tragic Toll of Malaria in the Region

Six children from Potka—Lakshmi Sardar, Rahul Sardar, Subola Sardar, her sister Khusboo Sardar, Rakhi Sardar, and Shiv Sardar—have already succumbed to cerebral malaria. Anita Sardar, a 12-year-old, passed away from high fever and suspected brain malaria, while her 5-year-old brother Ajay Sardar continues to receive care at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital in Jamshedpur.

Additionally, four more fatalities were reported: a minor girl from Kakrisol Kiran Hansda, a youth from Jadugora Ritik Singh, a woman named Mary Bandara from Turiyabera, and another minor girl from Adityapur Gudiya Das. This raises the overall death toll to 11 as of now.

“I have instructed the Jamshedpur civil surgeon to conduct the malaria control effort with urgency, guaranteeing prompt testing and treatment for every patient, and taking strict measures against any instances of carelessness or neglect. A single malaria-related death is not tolerable,” Dr. Ansari told the media.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mrityunjay Dhawaria, the vector-borne diseases officer in Jamshedpur, explained the severity of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. “This strain is particularly dangerous as it rapidly destroys red blood cells upon entering the body, leading to cerebral malaria, the most lethal form of the disease. Without timely intervention, it can cause severe damage to the kidneys and liver,” he added.

Debashish Sarkar, a special correspondent based in Jamshedpur, covers government operations, administrative updates, political developments, and crime-related news.