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EM Bureau
Kohima/Dimapur, April 25 (EMN): Witnessing a sharp decline in malaria cases and fewer reports of indigenous cases over the years, Nagaland is on the road to eliminate the disease by next year against the country’s vision of 2030.
On the occasion of World Malaria Day, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, deputy director Nitovi Shikhu said that there were over 8000 cases of malaria in the state in 2016. In a span of over a decade, the cases had been reduced to a single digit.
In 2021, only eight cases had been reported and registered, that too of imported cases, Shikhu said addressing the occasion at Urban Primary Health Centre, Seikhazou on Monday.
Of the eight detected cases last year, all were imported including paramilitary forces and labour forces coming from outside the state.
‘However, that does not mean it can rule out indigenous cases. There might be areas, particularly in the villages where possible positive cases might go unreported’, he said.
‘Hopefully, by next year (2023), the state would be able to achieve malaria elimination. It is only a step away', he added.
Last year, the NVBDCP stated that malaria positive cases in the state had declined from 4,959 in 2010 to 12 positive cases in 2020.
The official also informed that there has been no death case due to malaria for four continuous years in the state. Out of the 12 districts (pre-district creation), seven were declared malaria-free.
With most cases being imported, the officer suggested migrants undergo mandatory malaria tests to prevent the disease further. Unplanned developmental activities and urbanisation can also contribute to the rise in positive cases of malaria in the form of improper drainage systems, water stagnation, poor sanitation etc., he said, highlighting areas of concern.
Advisor for Technical Education and Elections, Medo Yhokha urged all to put more effort to make the state malaria- free.
Congratulating the department’s effort in reducing the disease, he said, under the supervision of officers and healthcare workers, it is only a step away from a malaria free-state.
The day calls for re-affirmation of political commitment, it calls for the government to frame robust policies and action plans to counter and overcome the challenge. It calls for different communities for equal partnership through awareness campaigns at all levels, he remarked.
India started fighting against the diseases on war footing putting in all efforts towards the complete elimination of malaria target for years. But, there is still a need to intensify against the containment of malaria, he said.
Policies, programmes, and support will come from the government to fight malaria but the responsibility to eliminate the disease should not be left to the department alone. The involvement of line departments, NGOs, and the community will go a long way in eliminating malaria in the state, Yhokha added.
On the occasion, three Asha workers—Kerielhousano (Rusoma-B), Keniphrenuo (Rusoma –A) and Viketono (Chedema) were awarded for their contribution to the elimination of malaria in the state.
Nagaland was also selected as one of the states for excellent performance towards malaria elimination and was felicitated on World Malaria Day by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, an update stated. Dr. Neisakho Kere, State Programme Officer, State Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control received the felicitation certificate on behalf of the state.
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Dimapur unit has been organising various malaria awareness and prevention activities in April across the district.
The communities in Dimapur namely, the stakeholders, church leaders, women leaders, students’ leader, Ashas etc were oriented on NVBDCP programme activities and their roles in eliminating malaria in the district.
An update stated that 56 villages under Dimapur district had been covered with malaria awareness and prevention activities.
World Malaria Day was held in 56 selected villages in Wokha district on the theme ‘Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden’ on Monday.
‘The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme(NVBDCP) in Wokha district has given emphasis on the behavioral change of its citizens to prevent the disease burden by having a habit of daily usage of long lasting insecticidal nets and also reduce the source of vectors in their vicinity,’ informed Dr. William Humtsoe, District Vector Borne Officer, an update stated.
‘The district is in the elimination phase of malaria and is working towards zero indigenous malaria positive cases. In consonance with the national and state targets of eliminating the malarial disease, it has sharply declined over the years and we stand to even achieve complete malaria elimination from the district in the coming years,’ he further stated.
Awareness programmes such as public announcement in churches and poster campaigns in villages were conducted in all the five blocks and fever screenings were also carried out in all the endemic areas. Wezolo Medo, NVBDCP Consultant emphasised that their team is trying to educate villagers on how to avail the service of Ashas and surveillance workers in the village, where they can get tested for free and anti-malarial treatment given and monitored during the period for complete treatment to prevent relapse in the future.
Longleng district observed World Malaria Day in all the three blocks --- Longleng block, Yongnyah block, Tamlu block -- comprising 48 villages.
The Asha’s of the concerned block conducted awareness programmes on the importance of malaria and the steps to be followed in order to protect from the disease along with collection of blood samples. A total of 392 blood samples were collected from Longleng district. Leaflets, posters, and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) used for preventing malaria infection and reducing associated morbidity and
Three of the best Asha workers from the three blocks were presented with the best ASHA award. Nyeisho from Hongyu village under Pongo Health and Wellness Centre (HWC), K Chaiying from Yangching village, Wanmei from Amosen village under Tangha (HWC), were awarded and felicitated by A Nyumoi Phom, District Vector Borne Consultant (DVBC).