Bhubaneswar: Odisha received the SKOCH AWARD (Silver) in the health category on “LLIN Distribution through Multi-Sectoral approach in tribal areas of Odisha: A Success Story of participatory process in planning and execution”.
The award was presented by Dr Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health and Dr Shubhashisha Mohhanty, Joint DHS (VBD), Odisha on behalf of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The work was selected on basis of e-voting and jury verdict. This highlights the precision, planning and execution of LLIN distribution during 2020, amid COVID pandemic Long Lasting Insecticidal Treated Nets.
These nets, received from the Centre, are stored, transported and distributed in nooks and corners of high malaria-burden districts with meticulous preplanning and supervision.
The distribution included the involvement of Gaon Kalyan Samiti and was distributed through HW(M/F) and ASHAs ensuring transparency, accountability, and zero pilferage. The predistribution activity included microplanning, supply chain management, and pre sensisitisation of beneficiaries.
In the Post distribution period beneficiaries were persuaded to use new LLIN for reducing to control vector-borne disease contol load.
In spite of Covid the healthcare providers had all the dedication and courage to move about, contact people and distribute without any disruption and disturbance showing great courage against the fear of COVID.
LLIN has proved to be an effective intervention for malaria control after it was distributed in 2017.
This, along with the all-round efforts of the H&FW department in providing increased surveillance, and treatment the State could reduce the malaria burden from 4.44 lakh cases in 2017 to 23770 in 2022 showing a remarkable decline of about 95%.
“It was a major achievement for the State because of Odisha’s leadership and the health care providers. This award recognises the efforts and commitment of the Health department to reduce vector-borne disease load in the state and will motivate the ground-level health care providers,” the H&FW Department stated.
