Sri Lankan scientist gets SAARC researcher award for Malaria

Panaji, Nov 6 : Sri Lankan scientist Devika Periera has bagged the coveted 'Vestergaard Frandsen' award in recognition of her pioneering research in studies on insecticide resistance in malarial vectors, among the scientists of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Pratapsinh Rane handed over the award carrying Rs two lakh and a citation to the scientist at a glittering ceremony in the city last evening, as part of the proceedings of the three-day international symposium on Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases concluded here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rane called for strategies to combat vector-borne diseases particularly malaria, dengue and chikungunya which had of late on a resurgent phase.

''Malaria is a challenge to the mankind in the 21st century with the pathogens developing mutation thus resistance to synthetic insecticides, that needs a relook,'' Mr Rane said.

He advised the scientific community to develop some ''attracticides'' that could kill the mosquitoes on approaching the attractants on the lines of the synthetic feramones.

Integrated approach to the problem involving the people and the scientists besides changing the mindset so that the banned chemicals such as carcinogenous DDT were not used in sprays, was the need of the hour.

At the same time, he hoped, the state government would appropriately tackle the issue of migrant labourers, who are often carriers of the disease from neighbouring states.

Institution of such awards would further encourage scientists towards research in combating the vectors and vector- borne diseases, he added.

The speakers including president of the National Academy of Vector Borne Diseases and Goa university vice-chancellor Prof Dilip Deobagkar, National Institute of Malaria Research director V K Dua and NIMR's scientific advisor Prof R C Mahajan called for a public-private partnership approach for combating the diseases.

Country director Suresh Janardhanan of the Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen explained various strategies it had adopted to develop health products to protect the health of the humanity including the long-lasting mosquito nets.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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