Third malaria death in Kanker raises questions over response despite govt crackdown | Raipur News
RAIPUR: A third death reportedly due to malaria came to light from Kanker district within days has intensified concerns over the state’s response to the outbreak, with allegations that a malaria-positive woman- mother of three-month-old twins– died after delay in medical help despite the infection being detected a day earlier. The death was reported on the day when the state health minister reviewed the situation on the ground and senior officials ordered intensified surveillance across Bastar division.The victim, Rakeshwari Kallo in Bhanupratappur block, was declared dead at the community health centre on Tuesday late after being brought in an unconscious condition. Her family alleged that although she had tested positive for malaria on Monday, no health team visited the village and an ambulance took nearly one-and-a-half hours to reach after her condition deteriorated.The death follows the recent loss of two hostel children to malaria in Kanker amid serious concerns over preparedness for a seasonal spike in vector-borne diseases.According to family members, a Mitanin had tested Rakeshwari on July 27, found her malaria-positive and provided medicines while informing the health department. However, they alleged that no medical team visited the patient for follow-up. When her condition worsened on Tuesday, the family called the ambulance service, but by the time she was shifted to Bhanupratappur community health centre, doctors declared her dead.The incident has also raised questions over implementation of emergency measures announced barely a day earlier. The health officials were directed to remain on high alert and ensure immediate intervention in malaria cases. Health minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal also reached Kanker on Tuesday to review the outbreak and inspect health facilities.Jaiswal called for a “malaria-free Bastar” meeting and stressed that field staff must ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Health secretary Amit Kataria directed officials to complete malaria screening in all ashram schools and hostels within the next 15 days, ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-malarial medicines and intensify door-to-door surveillance.Officials said more than 7.57 lakh blood samples have been tested under the ongoing phase of the Malaria Mukt Bastar Abhiyan, with 8,846 positive cases detected and put on treatment. The campaign aims to complete 100% screening across Bastar by August 14.The latest death, however, has sharpened questions over whether surveillance is translating into timely treatment on the ground. A report highlighted that despite prior directions from the Centre, collectors had allegedly failed to procure insecticide-treated mosquito nets through CSR funding, delaying a key preventive intervention in malaria-prone tribal districts. Health minister Jaiswal acknowledged that procurement had not taken place despite instructions and said the reasons were being reviewed while the purchase process had now begun.India has made significant progress in reducing malaria over the past decade and is targeting elimination by 2030 under the national framework for malaria elimination. Yet Bastar division, including Kanker, continues to account for a disproportionate share of Chhattisgarh’s malaria burden because of its dense forests, scattered tribal habitations, difficult terrain and monsoon conditions that favour mosquito breeding.
