Government Strategy Proves Effective in Dantewada and Sukma — Healthcare Access Reaches Even the Most Remote Areas
Proactive Surveillance, Door-to-Door Screening and Community Participation Shape a New Public Health Model
Raipur, July 16, 2025// The 12th Round of the Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan (Malaria-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign) has demonstrated that the state government’s aggressive screening strategy and community-level engagement are striking at the root of the disease. During the survey conducted between June 25 and July 14, 2025, a total of 1,884 malaria-positive cases were identified across the state, out of which 1,165 cases (61.8%) were asymptomatic.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated, “Our government’s approach is clear — do not wait for the disease to arrive, reach before it does.” He congratulated the health department teams on this significant achievement and said that the campaign is becoming a decisive milestone in the state’s journey toward malaria elimination.
A total of 1,39,638 individuals were tested for malaria. Out of these, 1,884 tested positive, with 1,165 patients (61.8%) showing no symptoms — indicating that without such widespread screening, these silent carriers could have unknowingly continued spreading the infection. Notably, more than 75% of the total cases were children, highlighting the vulnerability of this group. Over 92% of infections were caused by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), a more dangerous malaria strain — whose timely detection helped avert complications.
In Dantewada, a geographically difficult and remote district, the campaign achieved 12.06% target coverage, identifying 706 malaria-positive cases. Significantly, 574 of these were asymptomatic, and were promptly treated thanks to the government’s proactive intervention. This demonstrates that even in forest-dominated areas, healthcare infrastructure, surveillance and delivery mechanisms are functioning effectively.
In Sukma, 15,249 individuals were tested, resulting in the identification of 372 malaria-positive cases, of which 276 were asymptomatic. This clearly shows that the state’s proactive screening approach has helped break the chain of silent transmission. Medical access and community participation in tribal regions have played a key role in controlling the spread — a testament to the success of this targeted administrative strategy.
Under the 12th phase of the Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan, screening teams reached 27,266 households. A total of 1,247 pregnant women were tested, with only 10 testing positive — a mere 0.08% positivity rate. LLINs (Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets) were found in use in 92% of households, while Indoor Residual Spray coverage reached 68.73%. In addition, mosquito larvae were detected in 614 homes, where immediate preventive action was undertaken.
This campaign proves that public health is not just about treatment — it is about awareness, timeliness, and last-mile delivery. Through a combination of scientific screening, vector control, awareness drives and follow-up systems, the state was able to identify and treat over 61% asymptomatic malaria cases, effectively breaking the transmission chain.
The Government of Chhattisgarh remains committed to expanding this successful model further, with the vision of making malaria elimination not just a target, but a reality.