The CAG report for 2007-2008, submitted to the Assembly recently, said compared to 38 deaths in 2003, the toll in 2007 was 237. The number of positive malaria cases detected per thousand population, which was 7.9 in 2003 shot up to 14.7 during 2007.
“The death cases due to malaria increased from 38 in 2003 to 237 in 2007, an increase of 524 per cent, thereby frustrating the objective of reducing the mortality rate by 10 per cent during 2007-08,” the report said.
Another alarming fact was the state health and family welfare department’s violation of the norm of using one piece of micro slide for collecting blood from one person.
The state directorate of health services had stated that micro slides could be used three or more times and health workers still used the needles after sterilisation.
“The use of a micro slide more than once is contrary to the operational guidelines of the Directorate of National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme and auto disposable needles are best suited for collection of blood smear under the programme,” the CAG report said.
According to the report, the collection of blood samples from 12.41 lakh people for detection of the malaria parasite and utilisation of 5,17,700 micro-slides and 39,200 needles by using these more than once could adversely affect the health of the people.
The report said the purpose of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme to reduce malaria mortality was defeated despite spending a huge amount to eradicate malaria in Meghalaya.
The CAG also observed that shortfall in coverage of the targeted population under spraying operations led to the rise in malarial deaths in the five-year period.
Moreover, the quality of spraying operations remained questionable because of non-availability of vehicles required for the purpose.