Report by Michael Rodrigues
Team Mangalorean Udupi

Udupi: Malaria control official Dr H S Ashok said that 190 instances of Malaria had been identified and about 90 % of the migrant workers had been found to be affected by it. He also said that the constructon workers migrated from Jharkand, West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa dont seem to have any knowledge of their health.

He was speaking at a symposium held on 'Malaria as an epidemic' in Ambalapadi Bhavani Mantapa for the benefit of students. It was organized by Ambalapady Temple and Archana Charitable Trust.

In about 57 under-construction buildings in Udupi and Manipal, the identification process has been carried out.  Blood tests of the people living around those semi-finished buildings have been collected.  More than 2000 blood samples collected have been sent for examination, Dr Ashok stated. 

"Malaria having a history of 2000 years is scarce in village areas and is now found more in cities. We drink tender coconut and throw the shells, keeping them open. This leads to water getting stored inside, which in turn breeds mosquitoes.  So also the cups of ice cream disposed of after use and strewn around result in the breeding of mosquitoes," he said. 

He informed the students that they need to undergo medication for 14 days when struck with Malaria.  Students need to share information about Malaria in every home and create health awareness", he asserted.

Dr N B Vijaya Ballal, managing trustee of Ambalapady Sri Janardhana Mahakali temple, inaugurating the symposium, said, "To the question as to which is more important, health or education, the answer comes that it is education that is more important.  But without good health, any amount of education goes useless".

Municipal commissioner Gokuldas Nayak presided over the function. IMA Karavali branch president Dr Satish Kamath, District Working Journalists' Association president Kiran Manjanbail, Dr Ashok Okude and Amith Aravind were present on the occasion. 
 
Archana Charitable Trust convener Dr Aravinda Nayak Ammunje compered the programme.