Kathmandu, December 20:

The government is expanding the campaign against malaria in Banke district, under the seventh round of Global Fund for Malaria, which is expected to kick off from next July.

Under the second round of Global Fund for Malaria, the drive was launched in 12 districts from where the majority of malaria cases are reported. Banke has been added for the campaign due to a recent outbreak of malaria there.

A fund of Rs 25 million has been approved for Nepal for five years from the Global Fund for Malaria. Health Ministry and Population Services International are the major recipients of the fund.

“While scaling up the operation, one Long Lasting Insecticide-treated Net (LLIN) will be provided for every two persons. Earlier only one net used to be provided for one household,” said Dr Suman Thapa, programme coordinator of Global Fund (Malaria Component), Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. He added that drug vendors, retailers, health workers, lab assistants, female community health volunteers would be mobilised to identify, diagnose and treat people.

The majority of malaria cases occur in only 12 districts: Dadeldhura, Kanchanpur, Kailali, Bardia, Nawalparasi, Sindhuli, Jhapa, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Morang and Ilam.

However, 20 cases of this tropical disease were reported in Manahari village of Makwanpur district in this winter season.

The Division claimed the situation is under control in Makwanpur as the cases reported there are of vivax malaria, which is a relatively mild infection.