Bangladesh is largely a malaria-free country, thanks to the governments timely and sincere efforts in different times. And now it is revealed that the country has gone much ahead of its most other neighbours, and also of many other nations across the world, in malaria control. Malaria, a mosquito borne disease, causes death to over one million people globally but it is rare in Bangladesh. In spite of investing lower than its neighbours do, the country has also been able to eradicate malaria from 51 out of total 64 districts, and the remaining 13 districts had been targeted to make free by 2030, which, according to National Malaria Control Programme, can be achieved well before the timeframe by this year to be specific.
International health organisations have made us know that such a tremendous success has been possible due mainly to the countrys high rate of early detection of the disease and treating accordingly. The countrys endeavour and effort, despite limited capacity, has been much acclaimed in this regard. When one sees that malaria detection rate in the country is over 50 per cent, encouraging enough against the global success rate of only 21 per cent, one can be pretty sure of Bangladesh’s progress in malaria control. And because of a high case detection, malaria risk has reduced to a manageable level. The government, its related organisations, non-government organisations concerned and all other stakeholders deserve accolade for enabling Bangladesh to attain such a fabulous success in reducing the number of malaria cases from 84,000 in 2000 to nearly 40,000 in 2015 and less than 27,000 a couple of years ago.
From the available data, it is also known that the number of deaths per annum has dropped to eight from the previous 154 only several years back. Undoubtedly, the government-sponsored intensified controlling programmes, community based health services which has increased ones access to diagnosis and treatment making people aware of malaria and its symptoms and also providing with long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets in hard-to-reach areas have substantially reduced the burden of malaria to a tolerable level.
Yet, a high prevalence of the disease in our neighbour countries and its cross-border movement have appeared as fresh challenges which might undermine the progress so far and also might pose a serious threat to bring the disease rate down to zero. Hence, it rightly needs to take adequate preparations and become cautious against drug-resisting malaria spreading in different parts of the world, as warned by World Health Organisation. The current progress can only be sustained provided that the looming threats are effectively counteracted with a strenuous exertion from all quarters of the country.
