ANNUAL HEALTH BULLETIN 2004 - Ministry of Health

ARI Control Activity was first launched in 1986 after the introduction of Mid-Level
Management Course on EPI, ARI & CDD at the then NIFH, Gayleyphug. ARI Programme is an
ongoing health activity. However, there was no Program Manager/ Program Officer identified for
coordinating the activities. Considering the high ART morbidity (27%), the Health Department gave
priority to ARI control activity, and therefore, in November 1992, Programme Manager for ARI
Control Activity was appointed.
A booklet titled "ARI IN CHILDREN" on management and control of ARI based on WHO
Standard Case Management protocol was developed in 1993. The peripheral health workers were
then given short in-service training on ARI case management in Hospitals and BHUs. The activities
were carried out by the Dzongkhag health staff as routine health care services in their respective .
districts, the technical back up and support in terms of training, supplies and resource mobilization
was, how eYer, done by the central program.
The Programme is under the introduction of IMCI approach that would further strengthen the
integrated activity of ARIlCDD/EPI including early childhood care and development. The concept of
IMCI is to bring the inter-rdated programme activities together to have a cost effective and efficient
health system
Present status:
ARI rank as highest in terms of morbidity/mortality in the country. However, pneumonia
caseload seems to be reducing according to the morbidity/mortality report as given below.
Case load of ARI morbidity & mortality reported from BHUs & hospitals:
ARI MORBIDITY REPORT FROM BHUS IN %
Diseases 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
COUQh& Cold 24.48 23.50 24.29 23.66 21.56 27.44 32.75 32.41
Pneumonia 2.84 2.3 2.22 2.01 1.68 1.44 1.51 1.14
Diseases 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Coullh & Cold 14.96 14.02 15.65 16.16 14.92 20.66 29.00 27.96
Pneumonia 6.17 6.83 7.63 6.95 6.9 0.9 1.34 1.18
Diseases 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
CouQ:h & Cold 24.48 23.50 24.29 23.66 21.56 17.80 17.45 17.13
Pneumonia 2.84 2.3 2.22 2.01 1.68 3.01 2.81 2.45