An integrated approach should be adopted involving different ministries to control mosquito and eradicate malaria from Bangladesh health minister AFM Ruhal Haque said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a discussion organised by health ministry to celebrate World Malaria Day he said as the health ministry alone could not accomplish the job different ministries should be involved in the process of vector control.
‘Sustain the Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria’ is the theme of the day this year.
Health experts emphasised on early diagnosis and treatment, most preferably within 12 to 24 hours and completing the full drug course for curing malaria patients.
The health minister said that the treatment of malaria is very easy and the health workers can detect malaria infection and can provide the treatment.
He requested the people to contract nearby hospitals as soon as symptoms appear in infected persons.
Malaria symptoms include fever with shivering, vomiting, falling unconscious and weakness.
Health ministry officials said that the incidence of malaria infection was still very high in the three hill districts though it dropped significantly in the plains of the country.
Be-Nazir Ahmed, health service director of disease control and line director of the Centre for Disease Control for malaria said he mosquito breeding spots in the hill districts mostly remote areas were hard to reach.
According to the directorate general of health services, 36 people died of malaria in Bangladesh in 2011, compared to 228 deaths in 2007.