Odisha government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an America-based agency ‘Malaria No More’ and another Indian agency ‘Malaria Elimination Trust’ in a bid to make the state malaria-free.

The state Health department inked the pact in the presence of Health Minister Pratap Jena at the State Secretariat.

Health Commissioner-cum-Secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda, Health Director Dr Brajakishore Brahma, ‘Malaria No More’ CEO Martin Enlund and ‘Malaria Elimination Trust’ trustee Dr Koushik Sarkar were also present during the MoU signing ceremony.

Apart from helping the State Government in chalking out strategy for malaria eradication, the two agencies will also prepare roadmap for massive public awareness and will work towards maintaining coordination with both government and non-government agencies.

Odisha government under its ‘Daman’ programme has distributed 1.13 crore medicated mosquito-nets to the people across the state while sensitising people through various mediums.