30 to 40 million people get malaria infection annually, health officials
PESHAWAR
The Frontier Primary Health Care in collaboration with District Administration on occasion of World Malaria Day organized an awareness walk to inform public about malaria and its treatment for healthy society.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) General Engineer Syed Shahzeb, Coordinator Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Dr Imtiaz, Dr Umar Sharif, Deputy Director Health Bakht Zaman and other related officers and officials from the health department participated in the walk. Carrying banners and placards on which prevention and treatment slogans were inscribed.
Addressing on the occasion, health department officials said that annually, 30 to 40 million people get the infection of malaria and it also the cause of 20 million deaths in the globe.
“Mortality rates are highest among young children and pregnant women. Children born in malaria-affected countries are often underweight and have poor health,” they added.
Dr Umar maintained that preventive measures such as use of medicated mosquito nets, rooms with screened doors and windows and use mosquito repellent lotion at night should be taken by the families before to beds.
He said that the provincial government was providing free medicines and other treatment facilities to public at government health facilities. Delay in treatment can lead to many complications and risk of other diseases due to malaria and also increases risk of immunity, he added.
