🦟 Govt Sounds Alarm: States Told to Gear Up Against Dengue & Malaria
- MediaFx
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
TL;DR:After seeing dengue and malaria cases rise in many states — especially following heavy rains — the Indian government has asked states, local bodies, and communities to pull up their socks. ⚠️ Measures include better surveillance, community awareness, hospital readiness, and quick action plans, with a target to eliminate malaria by 2030 and strengthen dengue control now.
What’s going on?
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all states to intensify prevention/control efforts against dengue and malaria.
This came after a review led by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who took stock of the current situation and challenges.
Authorities are being asked to remain vigilant in the coming months and push ahead with community awareness, vector control, case management, and inter-sectoral coordination.
Key Details & Data
The government wants action plans from states within 20 days. Local bodies (Municipal Corporations, Panchayats) must intensify awareness drives. Hospitals should ensure enough drugs, diagnostics, beds, and that premises are mosquito-free.
Rising cases are already seen in places like Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra because of post-rain water stagnation, which helps mosquito breeding.
Example stats:• In Delhi, so far in 2025, there have been 499 dengue, 235 malaria, and 37 chikungunya cases. For the same period in 2024, it was 481 dengue, 210 malaria, 29 chikungunya.• In Mumbai (BMC data): In August, 1,555 malaria, 1,159 dengue, 220 chikungunya cases; in July, it was 1,294 malaria, 708 dengue, 129 chikungunya.
What the Government Is Doing & What They Want
Malaria control efforts:National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023-27), real-time monitoring via Integrated Health Management Platform (IHIP), boosted incentives for ASHA workers, large-scale distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), refresher training for lab techs, recognizing districts achieving “Zero Malaria” status.
Dengue control efforts:State Vector-Borne Disease Cells are implementing the National Dengue Control Strategy emphasizing surveillance, case management, vector control, coordination between departments, and engaging the community.
Why this matters
Mosquito-borne diseases are seasonal and surge after heavy rains, waterlogging & poor drainage. Delays in response can cause large outbreaks.
They're also expensive: strain on hospitals, loss of workdays, health costs, etc. Prevention saves lives and money.
Public awareness + community involvement is often the weak link. If people don’t remove stagnant water, cover containers, use repellents/LLINs etc., mosquitoes will breed.
MediaFx Opinion (from the people’s perspective)
It’s good the govt is stepping up the warning early, but action must be real & local. It’s no use issuing advisory letters if drains are blocked, waste is uncollected, or people don’t know what to do.
From where we stand:
There should be accountability: state & local leaders must be held responsible for delays.
Resources for poor & high-density areas must be extra, because those are most vulnerable.
Information campaigns must be simple, in local languages, reaching every household, not just via social media.
What you can do (as a citizen)
Keep your surroundings clean; check for stagnant water in pots, tires, etc.
Use mosquito nets, repellents.
Seek medical help early if fever persists.
Spread word among neighbours/family about preventive steps.
