By:- Team VOH
30 Jun 2024
Maharashtra experienced a dramatic 122% rise in dengue cases and a 16% increase in malaria cases over the past year, highlighting the ongoing challenge posed by vector-borne diseases. The state’s economic survey report also pointed to a rise in other infectious diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis (TB).
According to the report, dengue cases jumped from 8,822 in 2022-23 to 19,611 in 2023-24, with fatalities increasing from 27 to 55 during the same period. Major urban districts such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur significantly contributed to the rise in both cases and deaths. Notably, Mumbai’s reporting centers increased from 22 to 880.
Malaria cases rose from 14,533 in 2022-23 to 16,821 in 2023-24, although malaria-related deaths decreased by 17%. Chikungunya cases, also spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, more than doubled from 1,011 in 2022-23 to 2,504 in 2023-24.
A state official attributed the rise in dengue cases to global trends, adverse weather conditions, and increased heat, while also noting improved reporting mechanisms for all vector-borne diseases.
The report highlighted a significant rise in TB cases, from 1,552 suspected patients per lakh population in 2022 to 2,027 in 2023, although the cure rate remained at 87%. Dr. Abhay Shukla, national co-convener of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, expressed skepticism about the national TB program’s goal to eliminate the disease by 2025, citing a disconnect between government claims and ground realities. Additionally, funding for TB management decreased from Rs 235 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 216.5 crore in 2023-24.
The leprosy eradication program also faced challenges, with new cases rising to 20,001 in 2023-24, increasing the prevalence rate from 1.03 to 1.16 cases per 10,000 population.
State officials highlighted an increase in health spending, with expenditure under the National Rural Health Mission rising from Rs 3,631 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 3,825 crore in 2023-24. Similarly, expenditure under the National Urban Health Mission grew from Rs 233.7 crore to Rs 373.3 crore over the same period.
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