DIMAPUR — Health department across Nagaland observed ‘World Malaria Day’ on April 25 by organising awareness programmes on the theme “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement.”
The day is observed every year on April 25 with an objective to raise awareness of the global effort to control, prevent and eventually eradicate malaria. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a major public health problem that affects millions of people world-wide.
Kohima: The principal director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Vibeituouno M Sachu, informed that there is a sharp decline in malaria morbidity and mortality adding that there have been no malaria deaths since 2017.
Speaking at the ‘World Malaria Day’ programme held at the directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima, Dr. Sachu has termed as a major step towards achieving the goal for elimination of malaria. She informed that three districts namely Mokokchung, Longleng, and Zunheboto have been successful in malaria control programmes with no malaria-positive cases reported in recent years.
To successfully eliminate malaria by 2030, Dr. Sachu said that the department is following 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 further appealed to all the frontline workers including ASHA for committed support to create mass awareness about timely and effective treatments and vector-controlled measures.
The commissioner and secretary of Health, Y Kikheto Sema, informed that Nagaland has brought down malaria cases from 8489 in 2009 to only 5 in 2022. He also stated that there is a need to create awareness about the devastating effect on health, social and economic consequences due to malaria.
To achieve the goal, he has sought political support and cooperation from the line departments and institutions, the public, NGOs, and faith-based organisations.
Three best performing accredited social health activists (ASHA) under Kohima district namely Chichanbeni from Lerie SC, Temsujungla from AG, SC, and Keneiphrenuo from Rusoma SC were felicitated with award on the occasion.
Dimapur: The deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal, has sought involvement of community to achieve the goal of malaria elimination.
Speaking at the ‘World Malaria Day’ programme held in the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO) in Dimapur organised by the District Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (DVBDCP), Jaiswal stated that mosquito breeding is much higher in Dimapur. He, therefore, urged the community to observe cleanliness at the household level and also requested the DVBDCP to be more pro-active during the chronic months.
He further requested for more awareness and anti-mosquito activities despite resource constraints. He expressed hope that the community will join hands with the government to work hard in eliminating malaria from the district by the year 2030.
During the programme, three ASHA were also felicitated with certificates and cash awards for their exceptional performances towards elimination of malaria.
Following the programme, the district task force for Malaria held a meeting to curb malaria and other vector borne diseases in the district. The meeting was chaired by the deputy commissioner and chairman of district task force (DTF) for malaria elimination, Sachin Jaiswal.
During the meeting, a representative from the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) informed about the upcoming cleanliness drive with focus on drainage clearing to reduce water stagnation. DMC also shared that a new innovative strategy to collect household garbage which would be implemented in Ward 11 and Ward 19 as pilot projects.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner has assured to coordinate with the Diphu counterpart in regards to Lingri river pollution caused by dumping of waste from Assam.
Kikolul Khieya, assistant director of Urban Vector-borne Disease Scheme (UVBDS), also re-oriented the members on the entomology of mosquito and stated that source reduction is the most effective way to reduce vector borne diseases.
Mon: The chief medical officer (CMO), Mon, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, stated that ‘World Malaria Day’ is an opportunity to come together and raise awareness about the devastating disease.
Speaking at the ‘World Malaria Day’ programme, she stated that everyone has a role to play in the fight against malaria and committed to work with communities and partners to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.
The epidemiological situation of Mon district was highlighted by Dr. Thomas Keppen, deputy CMO & DVBO in-charge of Mon. He informed that no cases of malaria were reported in the district for the past two years.
Dr. Keppen also gave away certificate of appreciation and cash award to the best three performing ASHA of the district namely Chula of Aboi town, Echok Konyak of Angjangyang village and Nonlih of Jakphang village.
It informed that to mark ‘World Malaria Day,’ the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, Mon, launched a special awareness programme in all the six blocks of the district to raise awareness about malaria and mobilise action to fight the disease from April 18 to the 25th. The awareness programme was conducted in partnership with local health authorities, NGOs, and community groups by organising awareness campaigns and distributed mosquito nets and other protective equipment to people at risk of malaria.
Wokha: ‘World Malaria Day’ in Wokha district was observed in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office, wherein the CMO of Wokha, Dr. Zubenthung Kikon, has sought active participation of communities to eradicate the disease.
Terming the disease as a major health problem, Dr. Kikon emphasised on early diagnosis, referral and treatment in order to achieve the goal of zero malaria.
A presentation on the district scenario was made by WezoloMedo, DVBD consultant. He informed that DVBD Wokha is carrying out screening of malaria and fever cases in the district besides conducting awareness activities in churches. He added that zero malaria cases have been reported in the district during the year 2022.
ASHA namely Martha from Yikhum, Nrano from Elumyo and Zuchobeni Ovung from L Yanthung were presented with certificate and cash by the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Wokha, K Furhesie.
Phek: The National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), Phek, observed ‘World Malaria Day’ at Dr. Wethselo T Mero Memorial Hall of the District Hospital, Phek, with the deputy commissioner of the district, Kumar Ramnikant, as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramnikant has stressed on the need to take preventive measures to control malaria disease as well as to inculcate the habit of maintaining hygiene in homes and early blood testing of all the fever cases.
He has appealed to support and join hands together and fight for zero malaria. He also acknowledged all the healthcare workers and ASHA for rendering their services in different fields to eliminate malaria.
Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino, CMO of Phek, in his keynote address has highlighted the various activities under Malaria eradication programme been carried out in the district.
Later, the DC felicitated three ASHA with certificate of excellence along with cash award for their outstanding performance. The award recipients were Ruyilhulu of Chepoketa village, Thunokrolu of Chozuba village and Helena of Phokhungri village.
Longleng: NCVBDC Longleng observed ‘World Malaria Day’ and meeting of district task force for malaria elimination in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office in Longleng.
Delivering the keynote address, the deputy commissioner of Longleng, Dharma Raj, encouraged the ASHA and the participants to create awareness about malaria. He stressed on the importance of proper management of sanitation and hygiene to prevent malaria and encouraged the participants to keep their surroundings clean in order to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of malaria.
A Nyumoi Phom, VBD consultant, made a powerpoint presentation and showed the status of malaria in Longleng district. She informed that no malaria case of reported in Longleng district since 2019.
During the programme, three ASHA namely P Amenla Phom of Namhaching village, Phanyu Phom of Yongshei village and Ounching Phom of Yimchong village were awarded for their outstanding performance.
It stated that ‘Malaria Day’ was also observed in all the three blocks under Longleng.
Peren: The deputy commissioner of Peren, Vineet Kumar, encouraged the officers and staff of Health department not to lower guard in the fight against malaria but take prevention as per guidelines given by the department.
Speaking at the ‘World Malaria Day’ programme held in his office’ conference hall at New Peren headquarters, appreciated the ASHA in the district for working tirelessly in guiding the community. He further urged them to rededicate and give efforts for the total elimination of malaria in the district.
Three ASHA from New Puilwa village, Sailhem village and Gaili village were felicitated with INR 5000 along with a citation.
Mokokchung: The deputy commissioner and chairman of district task force for malaria elimination, Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh, lauded the Medical department and the vector borne committee in the district for their effort and accomplishment in containing malaria in the district.
Speaking at the ‘World Malaria Day’ programme held in the conference hall of the chief medical officer (CMO) in Mokokchung, the DC maintained that there is no scope for complacency when it comes to diseases saying, everyone needs to be alert and carry on with the awareness programmes.
Mentioning the importance to educate parents, he asked the concerned department to undertake house visitation in villages to create awareness about the disease. He further stated that community support is the key factor to contain the disease.
The three best performing ASHA namely Chubatola from Chakba, Sunepmongla from Longmisa and Toshinaro from Lakhuni were felicitated on the occasion.
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