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Exposed!

  • 30/12/1995
  • WHO

Exposed! The Centre has been accused by the Health Organization (WHO) of Oww" up malaria figures in the coun ie Orlov, an adviser to the lwslow"We the shocking revelations number of malaria deaths as by the National Malaria d Programme (NmEP), belies the ground reality.

The NMEP claimed there were only 1,000 deaths in 1994. "A survey conducted by the Registrar General of India revealed that 19,000 people died of the disease in 1991. The figure has risen substantially in the last four years. The number of malaria cases this year is between 15-20 million," said Orlov. The worst affected states are Orissa. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have made progress in tackling the disease. The NmEp has called for the involvement of grassroot agencies and paramilitary forces to strengthen its hands.

Negotiations are on with the World Bank for a us $140 million loan to fight malaria. The money will be allocated to the states while the Centre will repay the loan.

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