Exposed!

Net protest: Calcuttans deplor The Centre has been accused by the
Health Organization (WHO) of
Oww" up malaria figures in the coun
ie Orlov, an adviser to the
lwslow"We the shocking revelations
number of malaria deaths as
by the National Malaria
d Programme (NmEP), belies
the ground reality.

The NMEP claimed there were only
1,000 deaths in 1994. "A survey conducted by the Registrar General of India
revealed that 19,000 people died of the
disease in 1991. The figure has risen
substantially in the last four years. The
number of malaria cases this year is
between 15-20 million," said Orlov. The
worst affected states are Orissa.
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh
and Rajasthan. However, states like
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
have made progress in tackling the disease. The NmEp
has called for the involvement of grassroot agencies
and paramilitary forces to
strengthen its hands.

Negotiations are on with
the World Bank for a us $140
million loan to fight malaria.
The money will be allocated to the states while
the Centre will repay the loan.