A multiple pronged strategy is required to contain the excessively high incidence of malarial cases, with children and pregnant women being the major victim, particularly in Balochistan followed by Sindh, NWFP and Punjab.
Speakers, comprising medical experts and WHO Representative for Sindh at a seminar "Malaria Roll it Back" at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) here on Thursday sought co-ordinated and concerted efforts on part of masses themselves as well as medical community and government quarters to help control the disease which despite being preventable and treatable continues to have a heavy toll on public health.
On the occasion, feeble diagnostic skills and inadequate knowledge regarding treatment mode registered among local medical graduates was also referred to by some of the speakers who underscored need for Community Oriented Medical Education and problem based learning strategy for local undergraduates enhancing their capacities and competency to treat ailments pertinent to local conditions.
Need for public awareness regarding importance of hygienic conditions, clean surroundings, absolute compliance to recommended drug therapy and completion of recommended treatment course was further suggested.
The government was called to ensure easy availability of relevant drugs at all recognised and registered health care units operating across the country with major emphasis on those functioning in remote areas.
Efforts to raise public awareness and promotion of research activities through adequate funding; measures to control vector by insecticides spray in targeted areas on regular basis and provision for microscopic diagnostic facilities at all levels were some of the other submissions forwarded at the seminar.
Meanwhile medical practitioners were urged to ensure early diagnosis followed by Malaria parasite tests at adequately equipped labs with provision for qualified personnel and early treatment were strongly recommended.
Repeated test where index of suspicion may be high; prompt diagnosis; referral of severe Falciparum cases for hospitalisation were some other recommendations in context of health care providers.
It was hoped that a more pragmatic approach through maximum involvement of all stake holders would be ensured to see that the ongoing "Roll Back Malaria Programme" does not meet the fate experimented by Malaria Control Programme and Malaria Eradication efforts initiated in the decades of sixties and seventies.
The programme was addressed by Professor Khalid Mahmood, Professor of Medicine - DUHS, Dr Abdul Rauf Memon, Associate Professor Medicine -DUHS, Dr Shaheen Bhatti, Sr. Registrar - Medicine Department, Professor Masood Hameed Khan, Vice Chancellor - DUHS, Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi, Divisional Operation Officer for WHO - Sindh.
It was largely attended by students and faculty members of the university.
A special documentary on Malaria was also be screened during the seminar depicting pathetically poor hygienic conditions even in Karachi and above all at Civil Hospital, Karachi, a major tertiary care institution of the city.
The DUHS Vice Chancellor assured that the issue would be raised before medical superintendent, CHK.
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