The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, observed World Malaria Day under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite” aiming to raise awareness and renew commitment toward malaria elimination held at the Town Hall, Dimapur on 25th of April 2025 where the event was graced by Minister of Health & Family Welfare of Nagaland, P. Paiwang Konyak, as the special guest.
P. Paiwang Konyak, in his address, said “we gather not just to observe a day on the calendar, but to reflect, renew, and rise to the call of one of the most significant health battles of our time. On this World Malaria Day, under the stirring theme “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Re-imagine, Reignite,” I stand before you not just as a speaker, but as a fellow soldier in this fight - a fight we can, and must, win together. This theme is more than a slogan. It is a movement. It is a reminder that the power to eliminate malaria lies not just in institutions or policies but within each one of us.”
Malaria is both preventable and treatable, yet it continues to target the most vulnerable among us — our children, our elders, our communities living in the remotest regions, he noted.
He extended gratitude towards the relentless and courageous work of the health workers who achieved something extraordinary illustrating that from 2018 to 2024, there were zero malaria deaths recorded. He said that this is not just a statistic but a symbol of dedication, of strategy, of community effort.
He emphasized that the phrase “Malaria Ends with Us” is a call to personal accountability and the responsibility of the task must not be left to health departments alone but there needs to be participation of all stakeholders including Policymakers, community leaders, healthcare professionals, youth, educators, and families. There needs to be investment in the health systems, ensuring that diagnostic tools, effective treatments, and preventive tools such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying are available and accessible to all, he added.
He also encouraged the gathering to pledge that no child should die from a mosquito bite, that no family should be torn by a preventable disease, and that malaria should no longer hold back development, health, and to reinvest wisely, re-imagine boldly, and reignite our fight with courage and commitment.
Additional Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Tainiu Lamin, in her keynote address emphasized renewing global commitment, innovation, and grassroots action in the fight against malaria. She called for health officials and organizations for stronger policy support, local engagement, and personal responsibility in ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Speaking at the event, she praised health workers and urged citizens to join efforts in creating a malaria-free future. The NVBDCP State team was commended for their dedication to eliminating malaria in the region. She also noted the concluded with a call for unified action, reminding everyone that with collective effort, malaria can become a disease of the past.
Joint Director & State Programme Officer of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Dr. Neisakho Kere led the felicitation ceremony. The event recognized outstanding contributions from various health workers, including Best Performing District Vector Borne Disease Consultant (DVBBDC), Best Performing Malaria Technical Supervisor (MTS), Best Performing Surveillance Workers of Dimapur, and Best Performing Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Dimapur District.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr. T. Temsu Longkumer,
(Limatoshi, IA Dimapur)
