Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 22
Following the number of Malaria cases in North Eastern states considerably going downward and nearing elimination, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare department, GoI, has set a target to achieve the pre-elimination control by 2017 in the region. This was disclosed by Dr. Ahdhesh Kumar, Addl Director H&FW, GoI, while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural function of the three-day North Eastern States Regional Review Meeting on Intensified Malaria Control Project-II, which commenced today at Hotel Japfü conference hall, Kohima.
Informing about the statistics of Malaria cases in North Eastern region that has gone down 10,000 in 2013 as compared to 1.7 lakhs in 2010, Dr. Kumar expressed his optimism that the effort to eliminate Malaria and other vector borne diseases can be achieved if a concerted effort is given from all stakeholders and individuals concerned.
“If Malaria cases and other vector borne diseases can be controlled in the North East region, then we would like to move towards that goal. There can be no place for complacency while attempting to make this target a reality,” he remarked.
Though happy with the progress the North Eastern states have made in recent past in combating the disease, Dr. Kumar was unhesitant to point out the failure of the H&FW department to release funds which are lying unused at the department’s treasury.
“The Ministry of H&FW, GoI had sanctioned enough money to control Malaria and other vector borne diseases, but most of the funds are still lying in the treasury without being utilized for the targeted purpose.” He said this while addressing a host of departmental staffs and medical practitioners from all the NE states.
Recalling the large outbreak of Malaria cases in Tripura and increased number of death cases in Mizoram and Meghalaya some years ago, he attributed the failure to release adequate funds as the reason behind the outbreak.
“Adequate funds are not reaching the districts and the grassroot level. This was the reason why it led to the outbreak in some states in North East,” he said adding that the failure to release funds will always remain as a big setback in the effort to bring the disease under control.
While sharing his concern on timely distribution of salary to the staffs which he said will motivate them to do better, he also suggested for an entomological set up in all the NE states.
“We need to create zones with entomologists posted in all the district headquarters with required staffs. This will help in covering all the districts,” he underlined.
Speaking as the chief guest, P Longon, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, gave assurance on behalf of the State government to render its fullest support in containing the vector borne diseases in the State.
Though mentioning that Nagaland, after attaining statehood, failed to give much priority to the health sector initially, he, however, observed that the health care delivery system in the State got boosted with the coming of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
In the case of Malaria which has seen receding cases, the minister on behalf of the State government extended gratitude to the GoI and Global Fund for their unrelenting support, while he urged them to continue to give a hand-holding attitude to contain the disease.
While regarding review meetings as opportunities to review the performances and weaknesses and further to address the areas in need of improvement, Longon also stated that the meeting will serve as an opportunity for the NE states to learn from each other’s experiences.
A representative from Global Fund Team, John Mcharo, programme officer Global Fund, Geneva, also addressed the gathering.
Earlier, Dr. Kevichüsa Medikhrü, joint director & SPO, NVBDCP, Nagaland, highlighted on the important issues in VBD control in Nagaland, while Dr. Neikietuo Chiesotsu, Principal Director, DHFW, Nagaland, delivered the welcome address.
