10.08.21
As India continues to weather the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the country is grappling with another health threat: a rise in malaria and dengue fever cases.
Some 95% of the Mumbai population lives in malaria-endemic areas, and education and innovative solutions are critical in preventing and tackling the disease.
To address the issue, a lecture called “The Fight Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases and the Need for Innovation,” was held in Mumbai this month featuring The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research, The Gates Foundation, the Home Insect Control Association and the Godrej Consumer Products.
During the discussion, the research and development team at Godrej Consumer Products introduced a paper-based mosquito repellent providing instant relief and up to four hours of protection from mosquitoes.
The Goodknight Jumbo Fast Card, a spiral-shaped paper card -- which, when lit – acts fast to knock down mosquitoes, leaving a pleasant fragrance in the room.
"As the leader in the household insecticides category, Goodknight is committed to innovate and provide effective, yet safe solutions at very low cost,” said Sunil Kataria, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. “Jumbo Fast Card is our latest innovation which is the result of our deep understanding of the category and know-how of what the country currently needs. This revolutionary paper-based format will give people the dual benefit of instant action and its effect will last up to four hours at only 15 Indian Rupees for 10 cards. This makes Jumbo Fast Card an effective and affordable solution against mosquitoes in the urban and rural landscape."
The game-changing innovation could make protection from mosquitoes accessible, effective and affordable for urban and rural masses. In India, roughly 50% of mosquito repellents used are burning formats, with almost 30% using illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks that carry adverse health effects given their harmful chemicals.
Jumbo Fast Card is a high-quality standard and safe alternative for users of such formats. The revolutionary product does not depend on electricity, making it a viable option for both urban and rural areas susceptible to the blood-sucking pests.
The Goodknight Jumbo Fast Card is available in a pack of 10 cards and affordably priced at 15 Indian Rupees.
Indian Health Leaders Urge Education on Malaria Prevention
Apart from the innovative solution, experts also urged behavioral and mindset changes among citizens to prevent infection with insect-borne diseases. These include adopting proper hygiene practices, using mosquito repellents at home and personal repellents when outdoors, in addition to bed nets, wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants, and eradicating puddles, or other large collection areas for water in and around homes as it becomes breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
"We need to undertake research on priority areas such as drug resistance and identifying hot spots in case of malaria, and demonstrate few model projects towards its elimination on a larger extent as well as creating awareness for prevention of dengue and work towards vaccine research,” said Dr. Rajni Kant, director, Indian Council of Medical Research Regional Medical Research Center, Gorakhpur. “Due to growing population, urbanization, global travel and climate change, there is a need to equip ourselves in much better ways to combat mosquito-borne diseases. The analysis will help us to be better prepared.”
Kant added that public-private partnerships can also help to research and develop additional affordable, cost-effective solutions for the masses.