Pune: PMC Steps Up Active Malaria Surveillance, Distributes Test Kits
Pune: PMC Steps Up Active Malaria Surveillance, Distributes Test Kits
Pune, August 9, 2025 – In a bid to strengthen its fight against malaria, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified active surveillance measures, which have remained critically low at just 3 per cent for the past three years. On Thursday, the civic body distributed 193 malaria testing kits to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, enabling them to collect blood samples from suspected patients within communities.
Under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), civic health departments are required to carry out both active and passive malaria surveillance. While passive surveillance covers testing patients visiting outpatient departments and fever clinics, active surveillance involves door-to-door checks and community testing.
Dr Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer and head of the vector-borne disease control programme, said early testing is crucial to detect malaria parasites and prevent further spread. Once a case is confirmed, the PMC carries out targeted mosquito control measures in the affected area.
