Mokokchung, March 18 (MTNews): Mokokchung, Longleng and Zunheboto recorded zero malaria cases in the last 3 years, while seven other districts recorded no cases of malaria in 2022.
This was informed by Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak while addressing a high level review cum dissemination meeting on intensified malaria elimination project-2 (IMEP-2) NCVBDC as the Chief Guest on 18 March 2023 at Niathu Resort, Chumoukedima.
The Minister also stated that the National Vector Borne Control Program in the state is progressing steadily towards a malaria-free Nagaland. According to him, during 2005- 2022, 185 death cases were reported and the last case of death was reported in 2017.
“With the support of the global fund and the Directorate of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, Government of India, the State has been able to bring down malaria cases and control the morbidity and the mortality rate in the State,” he said.
He also informed that other vector borne diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and dengue have also been observed in the state and in the year 2015, one death due to dengue was reported and two JE dead cases were reported in the state in 2022.
Towards this, the Minister urged the Government of India & Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to provide all the logistic support to the state and urged the state department to stay alert and cautious so as to identify early symptoms and prevent any further spread in order to avert death and sickness that may arise.
Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema also spoke at the program.
Sema, while appreciating such regional meetings, also mentioned that the last regional meeting hosted by Nagaland was in 2016 and in the same year the malaria elimination program was launched by the Union Health Minister, JP Nadda.
He further stated that constant coordination, cooperation, confidence and contribution will be needed on the road to malaria elimination by 2030.
Director NCVBDC, MoHFW, GoI, Dr Tanu Jain; Joint Secretary (VBD), MoHFW, GoI, Rajiv Manjhi and Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM) MoHFW, GoI, Roli Singh presented short speeches while vote of thanks was presented by Mission Director NHM, Government of Nagaland, Dr Ritu Thurr. The program was chaired by Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, Dr Vibeituonuo M. Sachu.