Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a major step toward combating malaria among tribal populations, the Andhra Pradesh government will soon distribute 89,845 mosquito nets to tribal families in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts, State Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav announced on Monday.

The initiative is part of the government’s intensified malaria prevention campaign focusing on high-risk tribal regions that have reported increased malaria cases over the past three years. The mosquito nets will be distributed free of cost to families identified through health surveys conducted in 743 tribal villages across the two districts.

According to the Health Department, 63,507 nets have been allocated to Alluri Sitarama Raju district, while 26,338 nets will be supplied to Parvathipuram Manyam. ‘This program will directly benefit nearly two lakh tribal residents living in malaria-prone forest belts,’ Minister Yadav said in an official release.

The nets, made from insecticide-treated fabric, act both as a barrier and a protective tool by killing mosquitoes upon contact. Each net has an average lifespan of three to four years, depending on usage. ‘These nets are an effective shield against vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya,’ Yadav added. The project, estimated at Rs 2.30 crore, is expected to be completed within a month. Procurement and distribution are already underway through district medical officers, ensuring delivery before the onset of the peak mosquito season.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to tribal health, Yadav emphasized that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare in remote and underserved areas. ‘Our goal is proactive disease prevention, not just reactive treatment,’ he stated. Additionally, the Health Department will conduct awareness campaigns in tribal hamlets to educate residents on the proper use and care of mosquito nets for maximum protection and longevity.