Engagement of Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI) Members in Malaria Elimination Efforts in Remote Villages of Odisha, India

Madan Mohan Pradhan; Krushna Chandra Sahoo; Ramakanta Rana; Manoranjan Ranjit; Sanghamitra Pati

Madan Mohan Pradhan Additional Public Health Office (ADPHO) Vector Borne Diseases (VBD), Boudh, Odisha, India
Krushna Chandra Sahoo Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Ramakanta Rana Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Manoranjan Ranjit Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Sanghamitra Pati Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Keywords: DAMaN (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran), PRI (Panchayati Raj Institutions), Malaria, Odisha

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria, a vector-borne disease, caused immense suffering to mankind globally. In 2022, an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths were reported from 85 countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set the goal to eliminate malaria by 2030. Odisha, an east coast state of the Indian subcontinent is traditionally a high malaria endemic state contributing around 41% of malaria case load to the country in 2016. Maximum malaria cases were reported from the forest-covered mountainous areas of the state which are difficult to access.
Method: In 2017, the state adopted DAMaN (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran) to eliminate malaria in remote villages, aligning with the national malaria elimination target. DAMaN’s impact is profound, potentially reducing malaria cases by over 95% in 5-7 years. It is a community-based program with strong participation from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) members. A qualitative study involving in-depth interviews of PRI members was conducted in six DAMaN districts, with data analyzed using thematic analysis and MAXQDA software.
Results: The study highlights a significant reduction in malaria cases in villages under the DAMaN initiative over the past five to seven years, due to increased awareness, new interventions, and improved access to healthcare. PRI members, responsible for local governance, are aware of the malaria-related issues and risks in their communities. They expressed relief over the drastic decline in cases, which has alleviated villagers’ suffering and deaths.
Conclusion: The PRI members played a key role in achieving the goals of DAMaN by harnessing community participation and leveraging available resources in remote villages. Their contributions underscore the importance of community-driven initiatives.

How to cite this article:
Pardhan M M, Sahoo C K, Rana R, Ranjit M, Pati S.
Engagement of Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI)
Members in Malaria Elimination Efforts in
Remote Villages of Odisha, India. J Commun
Dis. 2024;56(2):45-52.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202431

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