Mangaluru: DK District In-charge and forest Minister B Ramanath Rai said that if people wish, they can eliminate Malaria completely in the district by maintaining cleanliness. He spoke after launching the ’State Malaria Elimination Framework 2016-2025 - Strategy and Policy Guidelines’ on Friday at Town Hall.

"Mangaluru was chosen for the launch of the guidelines as it is one among the cities with highest Malaria cases. In fact, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts account for 70% of Malaria cases in the state. Therefore, there is an urgent need to take preventive measures to stop the spread of Malaria. Citizens have a larger role to play in this regard. They have to destroy mosquito breeding sites by keeping the house premises clean and free from water stagnation," Rai said.

Government’s chief whip in the Legislative Council MLC Ivan D’Souza said that sewage is passing through open drains at several places. This also results in water stagnation which in turn multiplies the number of mosquitoes. Therefore, the underground drainage system should be given more urgency, he said.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, Mayor Kavitha Sanil, MCC Health, Education and Social Justice Standing Committee chairman Nagaveni, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme deputy director Dr Prakash Kumar, joint director Dr S N Sharma and Government Health and Family Welfare regional director Dr K Ravikumar, Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao, District Surgeon Dr H R Rajeshwari Devi and Government Lady Goschen Hospital Superintendent Dr Saroja and public attended.