Evaluating the Pahlavi Government's Performance against the Outbreak of Malaria in Fars Province (1347 – 1334 AH)

Mahshid Sadat Eslahi; Hasan Allahyari

doi:10.18502/ijme.v16i1.12655

Mahshid Sadat Eslahi Doctoral student of Iranian history after Islam, Persian Gulf University, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.
Hasan Allahyari Assistant Professor of History Department, Persian Gulf University, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v16i1.12655

Keywords: Pahlavi government, Infectious diseases, Malaria, Fars, Persian Gulf.

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases, the growth and prevalence of which depends on the environmental and climatic conditions of each region. The Pahlavi government took measures to prevent the spread of this disease in order to ensure public health in the society. In 1334 to 1347A.H, the seventh province of Fars, which included a large part of the coastal and post-coastal areas of the Persian Gulf, was considered one of the vulnerable areas to this disease due to its geographical location. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to investigate and analyze the actions of the Pahlavi government to control and prevent the spread of malaria in Fars province during the years 1334 to 1347A.H. The research method in this article is descriptive-analytical and data collection was done by referring to historical first-hand sources and unpublished local (Persian) documents. The findings of the research show that the Pahlavi government, within the framework of the second and third seven-year construction plans, has implemented solutions to treat and eradicate this disease, such as spraying operations, sending health teams, allocating special funds and implementing programs. He did training for this purpose. Statistical analysis shows that these measures were relatively successful and effective in preventing the spread and control of malaria in Fars. However, the implementation of this plan in Fars was not without challenges.