Panaji: The health services directorate (dhs) in collaboration with three centers have developed a mobile app for real time tests and malaria surveillance between migrant workers.
Health services face challenges in controlling the spread of malaria among workers as they are constantly on the move across the state.
“Contractors move workers from south to north or vice versa depending on their projects. Some workers visit their place of origin and return after a few days, but health workers are not informed about it,” said Dr. Kalpana Mahatmehealth officer, in charge of the national vector-borne disease control programme, Goa.
With workers changing their base often, it becomes difficult to test them regularly, which is where the mobile app will help track workers.
Mahatme said the app will be launched at the centers in Margao, Panaji, Candolim and Cortalim. Contractors operating within the jurisdiction of the four centers must ensure that the workers under their charge have the application downloaded to their cell phones.
If a worker does not test positive for malaria on the slide test, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the test will help in the correct diagnosis. He PCR The test, he said, helps even if the candidate is asymptomatic. “But if both tests come back negative, you won’t need to start malaria treatment,” Mahatme added.
However, the patient will receive immediate treatment if any of the tests are positive. The mobile application will also help to track the movement of the worker. Once the app is proven viable, it will be used at all other centers in the state, he added.
