Anti-malaria advocacy meeting held in Wokha

DIMAPUR — As part of a month-long anti-malaria campaign, an advocacy meeting for stakeholders was held at the conference hall of the chief medical officer’s (CMO) office in Wokha town on Friday.

During the meeting, Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, CMO of Wokha, emphasised the importance of source reduction in order to prevent the development of aquatic stages of mosquito larvae. He noted that maintaining proper sanitation and removing stagnant water can significantly reduce the breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Dr. Ezung also urged stakeholders to collaborate with the medical department to raise awareness about malaria, according to an update from the CMO's office.

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Wezolo Medo, consultant from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Wokha, explained that the objective of the meeting was to enhance community participation and spread awareness about vector-borne diseases. He highlighted the importance of being prepared for monsoon-related outbreaks of malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis.

Medo further informed attendees about the availability of free medicines, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) and malaria testing provided by the medical department. Mentioning that there has been an increase in dengue cases across the district during the past two months, he stated that the department is actively working to address the issue.

The report stated that more than forty stakeholders including colony chairmen, village council leaders and NVBDCP staff participated in the programme.