
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.”
- 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.
-
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.