Jacob Hembrom
World Malaria Day: Reflecting on the Past and Progress in Santal Parganas, Jharkhand Santal Parganas, a region in Jharkhand, once faced a severe malaria crisis. Around 30–40 years ago, the disease was widespread, especially in the monsoon season. Dense forests, hilly terrain, and stagnant water created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Nearly every household had malaria patients, and many lives were lost due to lack of awareness and inadequate healthcare facilities.
Tribal communities such as the Santals and Paharias were the most affected. Living in remote, underdeveloped areas, they had little access to medical help and relied on traditional remedies. These vulnerable groups bore the heaviest burden of the disease, which impacted not just health, but also livelihoods and overall well-being.In recent years, significant progress has been made through government and NGO initiatives like distributing mosquito nets, spraying insecticides, and conducting health awareness drives.
On World Malaria Day, we remember the region’s difficult past, recognize the improvements, and reaffirm the need for continued efforts to eliminate malaria completely, especially in the most remote and underserved communities.Jacob Hembrom