E-Paper
?RAF? wages war against malaria
A 'Rapid Action Force' is now spearheading the fight against malaria in the trans-Yamuna region of Allahabad. The District Malaria Department has formed the 'Rapid Action Force' (RAF)-- an emergency quick reaction team-- to combat spread of malaria by reaching the place of outbreak and taking charge of the situation within hours of getting the news. The team, first of its kind, functions round-the-clock.
A 'Rapid Action Force' is now spearheading the fight against malaria in the trans-Yamuna region of Allahabad.
The District Malaria Department has formed the 'Rapid Action Force' (RAF)-- an emergency quick reaction team-- to combat spread of malaria by reaching the place of outbreak and taking charge of the situation within hours of getting the news.
The team, first of its kind, functions round-the-clock.
The 'RAF' will also camp in the village and provide useful information to the residents on the control of mosquito breeding, symptoms and treatment of malaria.
The 'RAF', consists of six basic health workers (BHWs) who have been picked up from different parts of the district on the basis of their knowledge and eagerness to work in the malaria-prone areas.
They have been trained to identify different symptoms of malaria and the types of treatment available at the CHCs and PHCs.
"The 'RAF' members are armed with Chloroquine tablets and malaria testing kits.
They have also been provided a separate van to reach the malaria-affected area immediately. The 'RAF' members collect the slides of all the patients having symptoms of malaria in the affected area and take them to the nearest PHC or CHC for treatment. The slides are also tested at the PHC and if found malaria positive the patients is given Chloroquine tablets and other treatment," said Dr RB Singh, Additional Chief Medical Officer District Vector Borne Disease Control Department.
Dr Singh said a fogging unit also accompanies the RAF. "The 'RAF' team is right now functioning in Shankargarh, a high malaria endemic region," he informed.
