New Delhi/Agartala– The international medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched a medical intervention to respond to the unprecedented malaria epidemic in Tripura. So far malaria has claimed more than 70 lives, mostly children, and more than 30,000 positive malaria cases have been confirmed since mid-June.
Following an assessment in July, MSF has started its intervention to bring treatment closer to patients in areas with little or no access to healthcare, focusing on the hard-to-reach villages where malaria hits the hardest. This complements government´s effort in curbing the epidemic. MSF is working together in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its activities.
Two malaria clinics are being set up by MSF in the subdivision of Longtharai Valley in Dhalai district. These centers are ensuring early diagnosis using Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDK) and prompt treatment as per established protocol. While severe cases are being stabilised, the community approach to test and treat uncomplicated malaria at village level is being implemented through trained community malaria workers.
Through them, MSF is able to treat uncomplicated cases of malaria in the villages and so far has documented 60% positivity rate among the suspected cases being tested. These community workers are also trained to identify symptoms of severe malaria which are then being referred to the health facilities in Chaumanu and Manikpur for further management.
Another crucial component of the intervention is Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to increase awareness of the disease, ensure adherence to treatment and preventive measures of malaria to the communities.
For more information, please contact:
Contact:
Aditi Sonrexa, Media Manager
Ph: +91 9650061067
Email: aditi.sonrexa@new-delhi.msf.org
Malika Gupta, PR & Advocacy Officer
+91 9650807982
Email: msf-india-communications@oca.msf.org
About Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
MSF is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare in around 70 countries. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.
About MSF in India
MSF has been working in India since 1999, providing free-of-charge essential healthcare in the states of Bihar, Manipur, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
