Nagaland observes World Malaria Day with renewed commitment

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, observed World Malaria Day on April 25 at the Town Hall, Dimapur, under the theme ”Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.” The event aimed to raise awareness and renew commitment toward malaria elimination. Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, graced the occasion as the special guest.

Addressing the gathering, Konyak said, ”We gather not just to observe a day on the calendar, but to reflect, renew, and rise to the call of one of the most significant health battles of our time.” Referring to the theme, he described it as ”more than a slogan—it is a movement.” He said the fight against malaria is not limited to institutions and policies, but lies within each individual.

Noting that malaria is both preventable and treatable, Konyak drew attention to the continued threat it poses to vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and communities in remote regions. Expressing gratitude to the state’s health workers, he highlighted a significant milestone: ”From 2018 to 2024, Nagaland recorded zero malaria deaths.” He said this achievement was not just a number but a ”symbol of dedication, strategy, and community effort.”

He emphasized that the responsibility of malaria elimination must be shared by all stakeholders—policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and citizens. Investment in health systems, availability of diagnostic tools, effective treatment, and preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying must be ensured, he said. Calling for personal accountability, he urged the gathering to pledge that ”no child should die from a mosquito bite, no family should be torn apart by a preventable disease, and malaria should no longer hold back development.”

Additional Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Tainiu Lamin, in her keynote address, called for global commitment and grassroots action. Stressing the importance of innovation and stronger policy support, she said personal and local responsibility is key to ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. She commended the NVBDCP State team for their dedication and called on citizens to join hands in building a malaria-free future.

The felicitation ceremony was led by Dr. Neisakho Kere, Joint Director & State Programme Officer of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). Awards were given to outstanding health workers, including Best Performing District Vector Borne Disease Consultant (DVBBDC), Best Performing Malaria Technical Supervisor (MTS), Best Performing Surveillance Workers of Dimapur, and Best Performing Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Dimapur district.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks from the Chief Medical Officer of Dimapur, Dr T Temsu Longkumer.

MT