India, April 28 -- With the union health ministry flagging lapses in the submission of malaria blood slide samples from districts in Maharashtra, raising concerns over quality assurance in diagnosis and surveillance across the state, the public health department on April 16 wrote to all local bodies - including health officers of municipal corporations, assistant directors of health services, medical health officers, and district health officers - directing strict compliance with guidelines on submitting malaria blood samples for quality checks.

In a letter dated April 1, 2026, issued by the regional office of health and family welfare under the ministry of health and family welfare, district malaria officers across the state were asked ...