Bhubaneswar, April 30: The Odisha government has written to the Centre raising concern over delay in supply of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) to reduce malaria menace in the state.
Health and Family Welfare minister Niranjan Pujari wrote to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday requesting to consider his request and expedite the supply of 1.56 crore LLINs to the state without further delay.
The Odisha government had earlier requested the Centre to provide the LLINs to cover the high risk population. However, the Centre is yet to provide the LLINs after around 20 months the state requested for it.
Pujari said the Centre had provided 1.56 crore LLINs in 2020-21. The longevity of the LLINs is three years and the nets were due for replacement in 2023, which has got delayed around a year.
“Under such circumstances, it is requested to kindly look into the matter for immediate supply of 1.56 crore LLINs to the state of Odisha to prevent a further rise in malaria caseload and to sustain the efforts made by the state in the reduction of the malaria burden in the country,” Pujari wrote.
A senior official of the Health and Family Welfare department said if the distribution of LLINs begins from now, malaria and dengue menace can be controlled before the rainy season. Besides, the department can make proper planning for distribution of LLINs district wise.
The LLINs are mosquito nets which have the insecticide incorporated in their fibre to kill mosquitoes.
