Kala Azar: In India, a decline of 98.7 percent has been observed in the patients of Kala-azar since 2007. The Union Health Ministry has given information about this. The ministry said that in the year 2007, 44,533 patients of Kala-azar were reported in the country, while only 834 cases were seen in the last year i.e. 2022. According to the ministry, India is fully committed to eliminate Kala-azar from the country this year. The country’s Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the current status of Kala-azar disease in the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. In this meeting, he said that 632 (99.8 percent) endemic blocks have already achieved elimination status (less than one case per 10,000 people).
Only one block (Littipara) of Pakur district Jharkhand is in the endemic category (1.23 cases per 10,000 people). “We are working closely with the state government and other stakeholders to achieve eradication in Jharkhand,” Mandaviya said. It is known that after Malaria, Kala-azar is considered to be the second most dangerous disease in the world. Mandaviya also appreciated the steps taken by the state governments towards fulfilling the elimination target. He said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi Our real goal is to ensure better health for all citizens under the leadership of Dr.,’ The government has taken several steps to achieve the eradication of Kala-azar by 2023.
Government engaged in eradication of disease
Mandaviya said that with the help of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the government is working to provide incentives through pucca houses, timely investigation, rural electrification, treatment and periodic review and distribution of prizes. With these steps, the government along with its stakeholders is ensuring a robust mechanism for early detection of the disease. Apart from this, it is also helping the states in active case detection, surveillance, treatment and supply of diagnostic kits, sprays and medicines etc. The Health Minister said, ‘It is commendable that some states have almost eradicated the disease in their districts. However, it is equally important to continue this work and ensure that the number of Kala-azar patients remains below one per 10,000 population.
Most cases in Jharkhand and Bihar
Mandaviya appealed to the endemic states to ensure that high-risk blocks are monitored regularly. Kala-azar disease was endemic in 633 blocks of 54 districts in four states – Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. At present, more than 90 percent of Kala-azar cases come from Jharkhand and Bihar. Uttar Pradesh achieved its elimination target at the block level in 2019 and West Bengal in 2017. Kala-azar disease is caused by Lishumania donovani parasite. This infection is spread by the bite of sand-sand flies. This disease works to affect the skin. Although it is not that it is not possible to avoid it. It is not a fatal disease, but sometimes it becomes the cause of death due to complications.
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