The American multinational technology consulting company, Cognizant partnered with Malaria No More to launch Malaria Mapathon. It is a geospatial mapping initiative that aims to improve access to healthcare facilities and to bring out the positive outcome in the fight to end malaria.
The American multinational technology company is well known for the various consulting services like information technology, business consulting, and outsourcing services. Malaria No More is a non-profit organization that aims to create a world where no one dies due to a mosquito bite. The joint initiative aims to eradicate the problem of malaria and to provide better and improved healthcare facilities.
The first phase of the Malaria Mapathon will mainly focus on Odisha, the state which has the highest number of malaria incidences in India. Special focus will be given to Koraput and Malkangiri districts, which are the hotspots where about half of the malaria cases in Odisha are reported. The Cognizant employee volunteers would make use of Open Street Map (OSM), as a part of the Malaria Mapathon to edit, trace and label the key geography and infrastructure of the region including streets, buildings, and water bodies.
The overlay epidemiology and weather data on the geospatial map framework would be done by Malaria No more. The data would be used to identify the disease hotspots and the underserved communities, differentiate the risk of transmission, improve surveillance and disease reporting and deliver medical supplies, life-saving aids, and tools. The most affected areas are the hardest to reach, the monsoon makes it even harder and inaccessible. The mapping of road networks helps to provide a major insight into the situation and help to come up with optimizing and critical interventions.
The technical director and head of Malaria No More, Dr. Kaushik Sarkar commented that “the use of digital technologies can be of great help in our fight to completely wipe out Malaria by 2030”. Initiatives like the Malaria Mapathon would provide important details and insights into the most affected communities and regions. The chairman and managing director of Cognizant India, Mr. Rajesh Nambiar said that “we are very much delighted to extend our support and technology to help fight against malaria”. He also added that no community or individual should be left behind and have the right to receive supplies, help, and medical intervention.
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