DIMAPUR — A team of officials from the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) conducted meetings with district teams of Phek, Zunheboto and Mokokchung at their respective district headquarters from August 18 to the 20th.
The agenda of the meetings was to review the performance of ground-level workers and identify areas for improvement.
Speaking at the meetings, Dr. Neisakho Kere, joint director and NVBDCP state programme officer, emphasised the importance of malaria elimination in Nagaland. He informed that the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NCVBDC) has directed all states to eliminate malaria by 2027 as part of India’s goal to achieve nationwide elimination by 2030, stated an update from the Health department.
Dr. Kere highlighted that eliminating malaria would be a significant achievement in saving many lives. He shared that in 2009, Nagaland reported 8,984 positive malaria cases with 35 fatalities. However, due to sustained efforts, the number of cases has drastically reduced every year, with only four positive cases reported last year.
He mentioned that seven districts have reported no malaria cases this year, while cases were detected in Phek, Mokokchung, Peren and Zunheboto. While indigenous malaria cases have significantly declined, he raised concerns about the increasing number of imported cases, which pose a risk of outbreaks. He urged districts to enhance surveillance efforts and maintain accurate documentation as the state advances toward malaria elimination.
Dr. Kere also noted that changes in weather patterns and global warming are impacting vector-borne diseases. He stated that while malaria cases are decreasing, diseases such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis are on the rise. He, therefore, urged the field healthcare workers to remain vigilant in detecting and treating vector-borne diseases in both urban and rural areas.
The deputy director of NVBDCP, Dr. Tinurenla Anichari, also encouraged the district staff to intensify efforts, particularly during the transmission season. She advised motivating Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and ensuring effective coordination during house-to-house fever screenings.
The meeting was attended by district District Vector Borne Disease Officers (DVBO), District Vector Borne Disease Consultants (DVBC), surveillance workers (SW), malaria technical supervisors (MTS), statistical investigators (SI), and malaria inspectors (MI).