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Doctors tested ethnic minority people in Vinh Hoa Commune, Vinh Thanh District. Photo T.H |
The number of malaria-infected patients has recently reduced in the central region and Central Highlands, but it is still under threat.
The rate of malaria-infected people and malaria-related deaths in the region was always high in the past few years. The figure has, however, tended to reduce recently.
In 2007, there were only 25,893 patients in 15 provinces in the region, a decrease of 32.48 percent over 2006. Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, and Binh Thuan had the low rate of malaria-infected patients with 50.23%, 57.41%, 37.82%, and 39.42%, respectively, according to Quy Nhon Institute of Institute of Malariology-Parasitology-Entomology.
On the whole region, the rate of deaths related to malaria reduced from 25 cases to 13 in 2006. However, this figure was not sustainable and the reasons causing the death haven’t been improved, said Head of Quy Nhon Institute of Institute of Malariology-Parasitology-Entomology, Dr. Trieu Nguyen Trung.
There are many reasons making the malaria increase in the region, such as the source of infection and the changeable weather.
The key reason was, however, the migration. Binh Dinh had, for example, a malignant malaria-infected case in the first two months this year due to this cause, said Director of Binh Dinh Center for Malaria Prevention and Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Hoang Xuan Thuan.
Some provinces like Quang Binh, QuangTri, Thua Thien Hue, Daklak, Daknong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum share borders with Laos and Cambodia, creating a great emigration.
The malaria prevention has still faced many difficulties to sustainably reduce the rate of malaria-infected patients.
Some aren’t well aware of the problem. Most ethnic minorities still maintain unsound customs.
At the meeting held in Quy Nhon Institute of Institute of Malariology-Parasitology-Entomology recently, participants warned that the source of infection was still potential in the residential community. To sustainably reduce the rate of patients and deaths, it’s necessary to combine the effort of health bodies and the people’s awareness.
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