World Malaria Day was observed across Nagaland with awareness drives, screening camps and malaria elimination efforts.
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DIMAPUR — World Malaria Day was observed across multiple districts of Nagaland on Saturday on the theme "Driven to end malaria: Now we can. Now we must”.
Kohima: At Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), the programme was organised by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland.
According to an update, Dr. Imotemsu, Managing Director, NHAK highlighted the importance of collective action and sustained efforts in combating malaria in the state.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Imnapokim, Joint Director and State Programme Officer (NVBDCP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, who emphasised the urgency of accelerating interventions, strengthening surveillance systems, and ensuring community participation to achieve malaria elimination goals.
He also highlighted the newly operational 24x7 control room for vector-borne diseases (7630932527), stating that it would play a crucial role in ensuring timely intervention and advancing malaria prevention and elimination initiatives.
The state NVBDCP team also visited Good Samaritan Senior Citizens’ Home in observance of the day.
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Dr. Imnapokim conducted an awareness session on vector-borne diseases, emphasising the importance and proper usage of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs). LLIN bed nets were distributed to elderly residents. The state entomological team, led by Atuonuo Rupreo, Entomology Consultant, conducted a larval survey in surrounding areas.
Mon: At District Hospital (DH), Mon, the programme was held at the conference hall and attended by ward representatives, who were urged to promote awareness, ensure cleanliness, and undertake source reduction activities ahead of the monsoon season.
Dr. Abenthung Murry, District Vector Borne Disease Officer, presented an overview of the malaria situation in the district. He said Mon recorded its first imported P. vivax case from Longwa in October 2025. Indigenous cases later rose to 77 by December 2025. From January to April 2026, 20 cases were detected, with most patients having recovered. He said cases were declining, but the district was not yet malaria-free.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Supongmenla Walling, the special guest, stressed the importance of early treatment and completion of medication. She said effective drugs such as injectable artesunate were now available free of cost and had prevented malaria-related deaths.
She also highlighted the presence of malaria, dengue and Japanese Encephalitis in the district and called for stronger preventive measures, including elimination of mosquito breeding sites and introduction of larvivorous fish.
Longleng: In Longleng, the NVBDCP under the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Office commemorated World Malaria Day along with a District Task Force meeting for malaria elimination at the CMO conference hall.
P Pukha Lam, SDO (Civil), Longleng, in his keynote address, appreciated the DVBO and staff for their efforts in malaria surveillance, prevention and progress towards malaria elimination. He called upon line departments, NGOs and civil societies to actively engage in awareness drives, cleanliness campaigns and proper usage of mosquito nets.
Dr. K Manan Phom, DVBO (NVBDCP), Longleng, presented the malaria programme review and current status of malaria cases in the district. He said NVBDCP Longleng had been carrying out awareness and fever screening activities in health units, schools, villages and migrant workers.
Dr. Joshua, MD (Medicine), DH Longleng, spoke on malaria treatment, testing and elimination.
Peren: In the Peren district, activities were conducted from April 20 to the 24th, focusing on malaria prevention, awareness and surveillance.
Routine monitoring and supervision were intensified, with emphasis on house-to-house awareness on vector-borne diseases, prevention and control.
Door-to-door inspections on proper usage of LLINs were carried out alongside free malaria-fever testing.
Special awareness camps and mass screening activities were organised in high-risk and high-footfall areas, including marketplaces and migrant worker hotspot locations. Community Health Officers and health workers also conducted awareness and fever screening programmes in their respective health units in coordination with Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Day observances.
District-level activities culminated on April 25 with observance at the district headquarters. Dr. K Limatula Ao, CMO Peren, attended as guest of honour and stressed the importance of sustained commitment towards malaria prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
Phek: At Phek, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme observed the day at Dr Wethselo T Mero Memorial Hall, District Hospital, Phek.
Dr. Rebecca Y Sema highlighted the objective of eliminating malaria by 2030 and eliminating indigenous cases by 2027. She said preventive measures should include use of LLINs, mosquito repellents, source reduction through eliminating stagnant water, and involvement of allied departments in creating public awareness.
She said early diagnosis plays a crucial role in malaria control and urged health workers to promptly test all fever cases and ensure availability of Rapid Diagnostic Test kits in health facilities. She also stressed the availability of anti-malarial drugs at health centres.
The programme was attended by surveillance workers, malaria inspectors, surveillance malaria inspectors, surveillance inspectors and malaria technical supervisors. House-to-house visits and awareness programmes on preventive measures were carried out. Mass vaccination was also conducted.
Noklak: At Noklak, World Malaria Day was observed at the CMO conference hall.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Victor NC stressed proper use of LLIN mosquito nets, adoption of health-seeking behaviour and the need for wide awareness on malaria in the district.
Yimliyangla Ong, consultant VBD Tuensang, spoke on the significance of World Malaria Day and malaria elimination from the district.
Wokha: In Wokha, the National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases Control organised a programme at the conference hall of the CMO’s office.
Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, CMO of Wokha, in his keynote address stressed the need to scale up malaria surveillance and close gaps in real-time reporting. He said surveillance activity should penetrate hard-to-reach areas so that positive cases are detected early for proper treatment.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening field-level systems and community engagement.
A report on the malaria scenario and analysis of Wokha district was presented by Wezolo Medo, consultant, NCVBDC Wokha. He outlined achievements, current challenges and a strategic path forward towards district elimination. He informed that NCVBDC staff had visited health centres in the district for monitoring and supervision from April 20 to the 23rd.
Dr. Atheo Murry, senior private practitioner from Wokha town, shared his practical experiences and encouraged NCVBDC staff, reinforcing public-private collaboration and urging sustained commitment to achieve elimination goals.
Malaria Technical Supervisor Eyingbemo Lotha spoke on interventions and challenges faced at the block level, citing logistics, access and reporting constraints.
A practical demonstration of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and blood slide microscopy was conducted by lab technicians. A malaria screening session for all participants was also carried out after the programme.