September 29: There has been a drastic reduction in the number of people suffering from malaria in Samtse. In 2005, just about four years ago, more than 350 people received medication from the Samtse hospital for malaria.

This year, the hospital recorded only 18 malaria cases.

The number of people suffering from malaria has fallen by about 95 percent in just four years in Samtse according to hospital records.

Health officials attribute the success to the high priority accorded to malaria control measures in malaria endemic dzongkhags like Samtse.

The senior dzongkhag health officer, Tshering Wangchuk said with well trained staff and adequate facilities, malaria patients start receiving treatment within two hours after their blood sample is tested.

Around 20 people come to the hospital to everyday to check their blood sample. Apart from early diagnosis and treatment, the drastic reduction in malaria cases has also been credited to the preventive measures.

Health officials organize public awareness programs and go house to house to spray insecticides and provide insecticide treated mosquito nets. They also spray insecticide in the drains and other areas where mosquitoes breed.

This year alone, more than one thousand mosquito nets were distributed to public. All these have helped bring down the number of people suffering form malaria.