Experts for cross-border cooperation in combating malaria

Experts at a roundtable have observed that coordination among Bangladesh, India and Myanmar is essential to maintain the success Bangladesh has achieved in controlling malaria. They said Bangladesh has already achieved Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for combating malaria set for 2015 and the country needs close coordination with its neighbours, India and Myanmar to maintain the success. Out of 64 districts in Bangladesh, 13 are most affected by malaria and they are located in border areas. Kurigram, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Rangamati and Khagrachhari, have border with India and two districts, Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban, have border with Myanmar. The border areas in these districts have forests and hills that act as breeding ground for mosquito carrying malaria germ. The roundtable, held at the BRAC Centre, was organised jointly by the Directorate General of Health Services, daily Jugantar and BRAC. Prof Benazir Ahmed, line director, National Malaria Control Programme, chaired the event titled “National Malaria Control Programme: Future Plan for Malaria-free Bangladesh” and also presented the keynote paper, according to UNB.