MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAM

Evaluation covers the period 1/78-9/78. Evaluation methodology is not specified. An intensive insecticide safety monitoring program was conducted. Malaria consultants trained GOP personnel in safe insecticide handling techniques, reestablished laboratories capable of testing cholinesterase levels of suspected malathion intoxication cases, and conducted field checks throughout the spraying season to monitor safety procedures and oversee spray coverage quality. Of 17,000 spraymen and mixers, there were only three or four possible cases of malathion intoxication. In two cases, the spraymen returned to work after acquiring a dose of atropine. A third sprayman with possible symptoms was removed from his job due to poor safety compliance and had no further symptoms. The fourth case involved the death of a sprayman. After extensive investigation, however, it was determined that death was probably due to heatstroke. The program was thought to be effective in preventing toxicity problems among the malaria workers. Due to the lack of a uniform spraying quality technique, the optimum level of insect control was not reached in most areas. In addition, most areas had little data on vector density and on the susceptibility of vector mosquitoes. Since the epidemiological status of malaria was unknown, an internal assessment was planned for 10/78. Due to transitional problems of integrating the malaria control program with other health programs into a communicable disease control (CDC) agency, Punjab officials had problems in obtaining accurate malaria incidence data from the CDC offices. Punjab communicable disease work is woefully inadequate. Several cities prepared proposals for urban malaria control programs and a malaria research proposal was also prepared. These were being processed and USAID/Pakistan expected to initiate requests to AID/W upon receipt of GOP requests for program aid. A similar proposal to utilize Mondale rupees to assist the Pakistan Medical Research Center has been prepared.