Malaria control work in Chimbote, Peru.

During the past two years an extensive and a very interesting program of malaria control has been in progress in the town of Chimbote, Peru. Chimbote lies on the cost of Perú about 250 miles north of Lima, and is, at the present time, a small fishing village of about 4,000 persons. Plans have been made to develop the Chimbote area into a large industrial center, and it is in connection with this industrial development that the malaria control work has been carried out. Industrial development of the Chimbote area is feasible because of the existence of certain natural resources. One of the most important resources is the harbor, which has been termed the “finest natural harbor of the West coast of South America.” The other principal resources in the region are an abundance of coal, and the availability of hydroelectric power which is being developed on the near by Santa River. In the southern part of Peru, about 400 miles from Chimbote, iron ore deposits are available. This ore, which will be shipped to Chimbote by boat, will make possible the development of a steel plantand will be a fundamental factor in the industrialization program. Of vital importance to this program of industrial development is the improvement of sanitary conditions through the area and particularly in the town of Chimbote. Therefore, one of the initial undertakings has been a comprehensive program directed towards public health improvement and an elevation of sanitary standards in Cbimbote. This public health program has included development of an adequate and safe water supply, construction of a sanitary sewer system, construction of a 42 bed hospital, and the malaria control work which is described in this report. The public health program has been carried out by the Servicio Cooperativo Interame-ricano de Salud Pública (Inter-Ameritan Cooperative Public Health Service). This Service is an agency of the Ministry of Public Health of Perú which has been established by agreement between the Governments of Peru and the United States.