Schools are generally the most popular setting for drug-use- prevention programmes, and are used both by governmental and non-governmental agencies. This may be for many reasons: ease of obtaining funding for school drug-use-prevention programmes, the captive audience, and the popular perception ... that drug prevention should start from schools, or the need to show that action is being taken to control a serious social problem. more

The document “Malaria Prophylaxis for Travellers: Guideline for Healthcare Workers” (2019) from Sri Lanka provides guidance for healthcare providers on preventing malaria among travelers to endemic areas. It explains that since Sri Lanka was certified malaria-free in 2016, the main risk comes f ... rom imported cases, mostly Sri Lankan travelers. The document emphasizes assessing travelers’ risk, advising on mosquito bite prevention, and prescribing appropriate chemoprophylaxis like chloroquine, mefloquine, atovaquone-proguanil, or doxycycline depending on destination and traveler profile. It highlights that children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are particularly at risk, and stresses adherence to medications and protective measures. Special instructions are given on handling missed doses, long-term prophylaxis, and managing side effects. Overall, the guideline aims to maintain Sri Lanka’s malaria-free status by preventing reintroduction through well-informed traveler care. more

The Manual for Parasitological Surveillance in Prevention of Reintroduction or Re-establishment of Malaria in Sri Lanka (2019) provides guidelines to health professionals on how to conduct effective malaria surveillance to prevent the reintroduction of the disease in Sri Lanka, which was certified m ... alaria-free in 2016. The manual outlines strategies for active and passive case detection, laboratory diagnosis, case investigation, foci investigation, and follow-up measures. It emphasizes targeted screening of high-risk populations, including travelers and migrant workers, and explains the importance of prompt reporting, accurate parasitological confirmation, and coordination between healthcare levels. The overall goal is to maintain Sri Lanka’s malaria-free status by ensuring early detection and rapid response to any imported or locally suspected malaria cases. more