Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS said on Tuesday that the new drug-resistant strain of malaria that has been spreading in South East Asia, causing an alarm among scientists, has been reported within 25 km of the Indo- Myanmar border. He therefore stressed on the urgency to eliminate Malaria as soon as possible.
The role of experts and research scientists is crucial for a new medicine to fight against the new malaria Sema said at the World Malaria Day programme organised by the State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme on the theme, “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement” at Health & Family Welfare Directorate, Kohima, DIPR informed.
The Commissioner, in his address, mentioned that the three ‘Is’ in the World Malaria Day’s theme for 2023 are achievable only through the 4 Cs: Coordination, Cooperation, Confidence, and Contribution.
Sema also delivered the good news that Nagaland has brought down malaria cases from 8489 cases in 2009 to only 5 in 2022. He 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.
To achieve this goal, he added that we need political support and cooperation from the line departments and institutions, the general public, NGOs, and faith-based organizations. On the road to the elimination of malaria by 2030, Nagaland needs an awareness campaign, and cleanliness drive involving all sections of the people, Sema said.
World Malaria Day programme at Kohima organised by SVBDCP.
Principal Director, DoH&FW, Dr. Vibeituouno M. Sachü said that World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25th April to recognize global efforts to control malaria. The National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control in the State has been progressing steadily toward a malaria-free Nagaland, she said, adding 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. Sachü said that this was 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.
She highlighted that in the recent years, Mokokchung, Longleng, and Zunheboto districts have been successful in malaria control programmes 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.
In conclusion, 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 three best performing Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) under Kohima District were felicitated at the programme. They are Chichanbeni, Lerie Sub Centre, Temsujungla, A.G SC, and Keneiphrenuo, Rüsoma SC.
The programme was chaired by Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Ritu Thurr, while State Programme Officer, NVBDCP, Dr. Neisakho Kere presented the Programme Overview and also a short demonstration on malaria eradication.
