----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- Malaria has Goa in its grip --------------------------- Franky Gracias
The rampant construction boom has dealt a death knell for Colva and Benaulim in the form of unbelievable rise in malaria cases and the cries of the people in these areas against mega- housing projects now seem truly justified. According to the Directorate of Health Services, the two places, which fall under the Cansaulim Primary Health Centre, have been declared as high-risk areas for malaria. Figures of five months (January-May) sought from DHS indicate malaria cases have shot up 74 times as compared to the same period last year. Though there are places like Cansaulim, Majorda, Cavelossim, Betalbatim, Velsao and Seraulim under the Cansaulim PHC, majority of the cases reported are from Colva and Benaulim where construction is booming, say officials. This PHC had reported just three cases in 2007 between January and May and the figure for 2008 for the same period stands at an unbelievable 224. With the advent of the rainy season, the figure could escalate, officials fear. Panjim and Candolim-Calangute have been declared as danger areas. In Panjim alone, from 652 cases in the first five months of last year, the figure for this year for the same period has shot up to 709. Out of the 709 reported, 339 were falciparum cases, while the remaining vivax. In the Candolim-Calangute belt from last year's 598, the number of reported cases in 2008 is 995, an increase of 66%. Out of these 995 cases, 266 were falciparum and the rest vivax. Taleigao and Dona Paula, which fall under the Corlim PHC, are the only two places which have shown a downward trend of malaria cases. From last year's 208 cases, the encouraging figure for Jan-May this year is 186. Officials informed in the areas under Aldona PHC (Penha de France, Salvador do Mundo and Socorro) and Margao the situation is the same compared to both years for the first 5 month period. With the boom in construction activities around the Goan countryside, the DHS has its hand full this monsoon where malaria is at its peak. The Directorate is keeping a watch over Panjim, Margao, Calangute, Candolim and Porvorim because of the construction activities in these areas. The transmission rates in these areas is rampant as labourers have made these sites their home says Roland Martins of GOACAN, "builders and contractors have failed to adhere to the Panchayat condition stating no labourers should stay on construction sites." Director of the National Vector Borne Disease Program Dr. Deepak Kabadi has expressed his helplessness in this regard. The transmission rate as far as malaria is concerned is high at construction sites because of the breeding grounds there. What we are doing is conducting massive screening of these construction workers, he mentions. And with the rains setting in, the problem is definitely bigger than it seems. --------------------------- HERALD 07/6/08 page 1 --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------------
