Our correspondent
Imphal, April 25 (EMN): State Health Society, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Manipur on Friday observed the World Malaria Day under the theme “Zero Malaria starts with me” at Mount Everest School and College Chapel Hall in Senapati.
Speaking as the chief guest of the event, Senapati Deputy Commissioner Somorjit Salam said that with the declaration of Senapati district as Open Defecation Free (ODF), there is possibility of achieving the target of zero malaria.
He said earlier Manipur was a malaria endemic area especially in the hilly region, but with the effort of the state government and community the disease has drastically declined.
To reach the target goal, DC appealed the medical officers to reach out vulnerable areas. He also called active participation from the public in spreading the awareness.
NVBDCP State Malaria Officer Dr. Thangpa Serto said Manipur ids one of the best performing states in eliminating malaria.
“The year 1965 should not be forgotten because no person died from malaria though the case of malaria was registered but vengeance came back in 1976 that malaria should not be forgotten,” he said.
Malaria disease should not be a forgotten disease, he added.
Addl. Sr. Regional Director, ROH & FW Dr. N. I. Singh, Chief Medical Officer Senapati Dr. H. Loli Mao, also attended the programme.
It may be mentioned that every 25th April in an International Observation for World Malaria Day.
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that transmitted to people through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
In 2017, WHO estimated 219 million malaria cases and 4,35, 000 malaria deaths in 87 countries. WHO African region has a high share of global malaria with 92% of malaria cases and 93% deaths in 2017. India represents 4% of global malaria burden.
