‘Nagaland brought down malaria cases from 8,489 in 2009 to only 5 in 2022’

Kohima, 25 April (MTNews): Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema informed today that Nagaland has brought down malaria cases from 8,489 in 2009 to only 5 in 2022. He said that at the World Malaria Day observance at Health & Family Welfare Directorate, Kohima organized by the State Vector Borne Disease Control Program today.

Sema also said that as the State observes World Malaria Day, there is a need to create awareness about the devastating effect on health, social and economic consequences due to malaria. The Commissioner and Secretary said, to achieve this goal, there is a need for political support and cooperation from the line departments and institutions, the public, NGOs, and faith-based organizations.

He informed that the new strain of malaria, which is resistant to malaria drugs in South East Asia, has been reported to have reached within 25 km of the Indian border of Myanmar. In this regard, he stressed that there is an urgency to eliminate malaria as soon as possible. Sema emphasized that the role of experts and research scientists is crucial for a new medicine to fight against the new malaria. On the Centre’s target to eliminate malaria by 2030, Sema said Nagaland needs an awareness campaign and cleanliness drive involving all sections of the people.

Principal Director, DoH&FW, Dr Vibeituouno M Sachu said that the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control in the State has been progressing steadily toward a malaria-free Nagaland. She said that there is a sharp decline in malaria morbidity and mortality, and there have been no malaria deaths since 2017, from 75 deaths in 2006.

Sachu said that this is a major step towards their goal for the elimination of malaria, but there are many more things to be done in order to have a Malaria Free State. In recent years, three districts- Mokokchung, Longleng, and Zunheboto have been successful in malaria control programs with no malaria-positive cases reported.

To successfully eliminate malaria by 2030, the Principal Director said that the Department harnesses the existing approaches and innovations such as:- Highly Sensitive Rapid Diagnostic Testing Kits, Long Lasting Insecticidal bed nets, advanced anti-malaria drugs, and advanced Data Management Systems.

She congratulated the Health Workers for their achievements and appealed to all the frontline workers including the ASHAs for committed support and also advocated the need to work together to create mass awareness about timely and effective treatments and vector-controlled measures.

The program was chaired by Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Ritu Thurr, while State Program Officer, NVBDCP, Dr. Neisakho Kere presented a Program Overview and also a short demonstration on malaria eradication.