Nagaland observes World Malaria Day with a call to eliminate by 2027

Dr. Kevilhulie Meyase along with the award recipients during World Malaria Day programme in Kohima on Friday.

• DIMAPUR — With an aim to raise awareness and renew commitment toward malaria elimination, the Department of Health and Family Welfare observed World Malaria Day across Nagaland on Friday under the theme “Malaria ends with us: reinvest, reimagine, reignite.”
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• World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25 to raise awareness about malaria, its prevention and the efforts to eliminate the disease globally. Established by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the day highlights progress made in malaria control and mobilises support for continued action.
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• Dimapur: In Dimapur, the day’s event was held at town hall with the minister of Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, as the special guest. In his address, he has termed the theme as a powerful call to action by reminding everyone of their vital role in fighting a preventable and treatable disease that still affects vulnerable communities.
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• Referring to the progress report, he stated that a remarkable achievement was made from 2005 to 2024. Stating that the death rate caused by malaria in 2005 was nil, he however informed that the death rate shot up to 75 in 2006. He added that death rate since 2018 till 2024 stands at zero.
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• The minister reminded that the theme ‘Malaria ends with us’ is a declaration of ownership and accountability adding that the responsibility is not just with health departments or global agencies but it lies with everyone to make malaria a disease of the past.
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• To achieve the goal, the minister called upon everyone to ‘reinvest’ not just financially but also by strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring access to diagnostics, treatments and preventive tools like insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying. He urged that gathering to re-imagine partnerships involving private sector, youth and civil societies and build smarter and more resilient systems.
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• Konyak mentioned that the world has made significant progress in reducing malaria deaths, but that progress has stalled in recent years. He, therefore, urged the gathering to reignite their passion, urgency and determination to finish what they have started.

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• On the occasion, best performing district vector borne disease consultant (DVBDC) was awarded to Khrusayi Khamo of Phek district, best performing malaria technical supervisor (MTS) was awarded to Ajung Chang of Mokokchung district, best performing surveillance workers of Dimapur district was awarded to T Pentsu (NVBDCP Dimapur) and Elochila (NVBDCP Dimapur).
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• The best performing Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) of Dimapur district was awarded to Kilangyala of Indisen village and Hukali Chishi of Niuland town.
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• Kohima: World Malaria Day in Kohima was observed at the CMO’s conference hall.
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• The district vector borne disease officer (DVBO), Dr. Kevilhulie Meyase mentioned that Nagaland has made significant strides in malaria control and elimination, reflecting the state’s commitment to achieving the national goal of malaria-free India by 2027.
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• He stated that with sustained efforts under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), malaria cases have drastically declined in recent years. He has attributed the success to improved surveillance, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and effective vector control measures.
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• During the programme, two surveillance workers (SW) namely Khrieno Meyase from Sechu block and Shamshung Phom from Tseminyu block and two urban ASHAs namely Kavitoli from Nagabazar and Amedo from Pezeilietsie were awarded with certificates.
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  Health officials along with the award recipients on the occasion of World malaria Day in Phek town on Friday.

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• Phek: Phek division of National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) observed World Malaria Day at the CMO’s conference hall with Chetezo Akami, deputy chairperson of Phek Town Council (PTC) as the special guest.
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• Speaking on the occasion, Akami stressed that community participation is crucial for elimination of malaria and other related disease from the district.
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• In his keynote address, Khrusayi Khamo, consultant, informed that malaria diagnostic kits are available in all health units across the district. He also highlighted important methods on prevention and control of malaria.
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• On the occasion, two best surveillance workers namely Vetazo of Chozuba block and Kuvezolu Veswuh of Pfutsero block and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) namely Ruvelu Dozo of Thuvopisu village and Vezovolu Nienu of Chesezu Old Village were felicitated.
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• Mokokchung: World Malaria Day in Mokokchung was observed at the CMO’s conference hall, wherein two best performing surveillance workers namely Asangba and Arenla and best ASHA namely Chubasangla and Asemtola were felicitated.
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• Speaking on the occasion, the chief medical officer (CMO) of Mokokchung, Dr. Sentizungla Marina Yaden, has congratulated the best performing surveillance and ASHA workers on their achievement. He also appealed to all the frontline workers to work together for elimination of malaria at the earliest.
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• Imkummongba, DVBO consultant, spoke on history and origins of World Malaria Day.
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• Tuensang: Tuensang district observed ‘World Malaria Day’ at the CMO’s conference hall in Tuensang town with the EAC of Tuensang, Zujanbeni N Ngullie, as the special guest.
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• Speaking at the programme, Ngullie stated that malaria is preventable disease, which required multi-sectoral approach and combined effort to completely eradicate. She encouraged timely diagnosis, prompt treatment and community awareness to eliminate the disease.
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• During the programme, two best performing surveillance workers namely Pathong under Panso block and Tsekhase Sangtam under Chare block and two best performing ASHA namely Tosangla under Chessore block and Laam under Noklak were felicitated.
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  Renbomo Ezungalong with Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung and other officials during the World Malaria Day in Wokha town on Friday.

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• Wokha: Wokha division of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) observed World Malaria Day at the CMO’s conference hall.
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• During the programme, Wezolo Medo, NVBDCP Consultant, gave a brief insight on the malaria scenario in the district and informed that only one positive case was detected in 2023.
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• Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, CMO of Wokha, has appreciated all the healthcare workers for their work in fighting malaria. He also felicitated the two best performing surveillance workers namely Phyobemo and Longnyei and two best performing ASHAs namely Areni Lotha and Yanpolo Mozhui.
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• The ADC of Wokha, Renbomo Ezung, has congratulated the awardees and further encouraged the healthcare workers to continue organising the health activities in the district.
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• Zunheboto: The Zunheboto District Health Society (DHS) observed World Malaria Day-cum-malaria elimination task force meeting at the DC’s conference hall with the deputy commissioner of Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, as the special guest.
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• In his speech, the DC emphasised the vital role of community participation and called upon town councilors, NGOs and civil society to actively engage in awareness drives, cleanliness campaigns and the distribution of mosquito nets.
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• The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Esther Kath, wherein she emphasised the district's commitment to achieving malaria elimination by 2030. She stated that the district has made significant progress in malaria control and attributed the success to the dedicated efforts of healthcare and field staff.
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• On the occasion, two best performing ASHAs and surveillance workers (SWs) were felicitated.
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• Longleng: The Longleng District Health Society (DHS) observed World Malaria Day at the CMO’s conference hall in Longleng town.
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• In a keynote address, the CMO of Longleng Dr. Tiasunep called upon the gathering to educate and create awareness among the public to eradicate malaria.
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• A Nyumoiphom, VBD consultant, made a powerpoint presentation on the status of malaria in Longleng district.
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• The best performing surveillance workers namely Ennyei Phom and K Henveih Phom and best ASHAs namely Owchai and Bendangmongla were felicitated.