NVBDCP Nagaland conducts refresher training for medical officers on vector-borne diseases in Kohima
DIMAPUR — The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW), conducted a refresher training for medical officers on malaria, dengue, kala-azar, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya at the DHFW conference hall in Kohima on Tuesday.
The training aimed to strengthen the clinical and technical capacities of medical officers in disease diagnosis, case management, surveillance, reporting, laboratory confirmation, and integrated prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.
According to a press release, the programme commenced with an introduction and welcome address by Dr. Imnapokim, Joint Director and State Programme Officer of NVBDCP Nagaland, who highlighted the importance of strengthening professional knowledge and practices for effective disease prevention and control.
Technical sessions were led by experts from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NCVBDCP), Delhi; the Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare (RoHFW), Government of India, Imphal; state programme officers; and other specialised medical institutions.
In the session on malaria, Dr. NI Singh, Senior CMO (HAG), RoHFW, Imphal, discussed malaria epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, case management, the Case Investigation Form (CIF), and treatment. Dr. Shikhar, National Consultant (M&E), NCVBDC, Delhi, MoHFW, addressed surveillance, case notification, outbreak and foci investigation, and prevention and control strategies.
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Focusing on dengue, Dr. Jenny Ningomban, Regional Director, RoHFW, Imphal, joined virtually to address clinical classification, warning signs, diagnosis, case management, surveillance, case investigation formats, referrals, and control measures.
Dr. Imnapokim conducted a session on kala-azar focusing on clinical diagnosis, case management, treatment, and prevention. Presenting on Japanese encephalitis, Dr. Albert Pochury, Physician at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, covered clinical diagnosis, case management, immunisation, CIF, and preventive measures.
Dr. Pewezo Khalo, Senior Microbiologist at District Hospital Dimapur, joined virtually to elaborate on protocols for specimen collection and laboratory confirmation of dengue and Japanese encephalitis.
Covering dengue and chikungunya, Dr. Kalpana Baruah, former Additional Director and Scientist 'V' Senior Consultant, NCVBDC, Delhi, MoHFW, delivered a virtual session on national strategy and epidemiology. Dr. Sameer Gulati, Professor of Internal Medicine at Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, joined virtually to discuss chikungunya, focusing on clinical diagnosis, case management, treatment, and prevention.
Regarding integrated vector management and disease reporting, Kikolul Khieya, Assistant Director of the Urban Vector Borne Disease Scheme (UVBDS), outlined vector management and control measures targeting Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex mosquitoes, as well as sandflies.
Imsubenla, Public Health and Training Consultant at NVBDCP, conducted a session on reporting malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and dengue through the IHIP VBD portal, which was followed by a post-test to assess participants' understanding.
A total of 40 participants attended the training.