Odisha Govt Writes to Centre Over Delay in Supply of 1.5 Crore Mosquito Nets

Bhubameswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari has penned a letter to Mansukh L Mandaviya, the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, urging expedited supply of 1.5 crore insecticidal nets (LLINs) to Odisha in bid to combat malaria outbreaks.

Highlighting the significant impact of previous LLIN distributions, Pujari emphasized that in the 2020-21 period, the Government of India supplied 1.56 crore LLINs to Odisha. These nets played a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable populations against malaria infections, resulting in a noteworthy decline in malaria cases across the state.

However, Pujari expressed concern over the delay in replacing the LLINs, which were due for replacement in 2023. This delay, extending nearly a year, has left the state susceptible to an uptick in malaria cases.

Pujari stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for immediate action to avert a potential surge in malaria cases.