Executing the Document 179/VSR-DT dated June 12, 2009 signed by the director of the IMPE Quy Nhon on "Worsening malaria situation in Central Vietnam and suggested preventive measures", Kon Tum province deployed the measures aiming at controlling malaria outbreaks in severely-hit areas.
In the first 4 months of 2009, malaria rates in Central Vietnam slightly decreased by 3.32%, of which the provinces in the central coastal area reduced by 9.7% whereas those in the West Central Highland increased by 5.26% compared with 2008 (Gia Lai raised 30.12%), 3 more deaths from malaria were recorded against the same period of last year, the densities of malaria main vectors (An minimus, An dirus) were high in many areas; in general this year's malaria situation tended to increase compared with that of 2008.
In the first 5 months of 2009, Kon Tum province had reportedly no death from malaria, the number of malaria patients slightly reduced by 1.5%, slide positive rate accounted for 0.2%, increased 10% against the same period of last year, 3 severe malaria cases were detected (66.6% higher), 4 districts with high rate of malaria cases included Ngoc Hoi, Sa Thay, Konplong, Kon Ray.
The weather condition was favourable for the development of malaria vectors: rainy season came early with high frequencies in every month, meanwhile the resevoir of malaria cases always exist in the community. This, together with a large number of population having habits of working late at night and sleeping in the forests and those doing seasonal work such as gatherring coffee-beans, taking rubber latex, or being workers at traffic, irrigational or hydroelectric works posed higher risks on malaria return in West Highland in general and Kon Tum province in particular.
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Malaria patient is transfered to the health center for treatment. |
With the above mentioned data, it is predicted that the malaria situation will tend to increase by the end of 2009. In order to prevent malaria outbreaks from occuring, with the consultancy of the provincial malaria control centre, the Health Deparment issued the Document No.1132/SYT-NVY dated June 19, 2009 on strengthening malaria control activities in the province, directing provincial health units such as the Provincial General Hospital, the Regional General Hospital of Ngoc Hoi, the District/City Health Centers to carry out some following contents:
District/City Health Centers
Mobilize the preventive medicine team, the health station and the hamlet health care staff into strengthening the supervision, detection and treatment of malaria patients right at first level with the target of early detecting and promptly treating so as to reduce severe and complicated cases, fatalities from malaria and spread among the community; providing anti-malaria drugs for people going to work in the forests and sleeping in the field huts or working far from health facilities for self-treatment in light of given regulations.
Provincial General Hospital, Regional General Hospital of Ngoc Hoi
Actively treat all malaria patients reffered to while complying with MoH's treatment guidelines (Decision No. 339/QD-BYT dated January 31, 2007)
Provincial Malaria Control Center
Strengthen malaria epidemiological surveillance in order to early detect malaria cases, localize and completely treat these cases according to the guidance of MoH and the National Malaria Control Programme; appoint staff to closely follow malaria cases being treated at heath centers.
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Treating bed-nets for malaria prevention. |
Strengthen the inspection of deploying malaria control activities at grassroots level such as impregnating bed-nets with insecticide, distributing and using impregnated bed-nets, ensuring enough anti-malaria drugs for all health centers in the province in treating malaria patients.
With the above efforts of Kon Tum's health sector, the Provincial Malaria Control Center strives for rolling back the increasing malaria situation in districts and cities of Kon Tum province.