REGIONAL REVIEW MEETING OF GFATM PROJECT STATES HELD

High level review cum dissemination meeting on intensified malaria elimination project-2(IMEP-2) NCVBDC was held on 18 March 2023 at Niathu Resort, Chumoukidima.

Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak while addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest stated National Vector Borne Control Program in the state is progressing steadily towards a malaria-free Nagaland. During 2005- 2022, 185 death cases were reported and the last case of death was reported in 2017. But with the support of the global fund and the Directorate of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, Government of India, the State has been able to bring down malaria cases and control the morbidity and the mortality rate in the State. Konyak also mentioned 3 districts i.e. Mokokchung, Longleng & Zunheboto where no malaria cases were reported in the last 3 years, and 7 districts out of 16 no cases of malaria were reported in 2022. Other vector borne diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and dengue have also been observed in the state and in the year 2015 one dengue dead case reported and two JE dead cases were reported in the state on 2022.

Towards this, the Minister urge the Government of India & Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to provide all the logistic support to the state and urged the state dept to stay alert/cautious so as to identify early symptoms to prevent any further spread in order to avert death and sickness that may arise.

Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Y. Kikheto Sema also spoke on the programme. Sema, while appreciating such regional meeting also mentioned last regional meeting hosted by Nagaland was on 2016 and in the same year malaria elimination programme was launched by the Union Health Minister, J.P. Nadda and on the road to malaria elimination by 2030 we need constant coordination, cooperation, confidence and contribution, Sema stated.  

Director NCVBDC, MoHFW, GoI, Dr. Tanu Jain; Joint Secretary (VBD), MoHFW, GoI, Rajiv Manjhi and Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM) MoHFW, GoI, Roli Singh presented short speeches while vote of thanks was presented by Mission Director NHM, Government of Nagaland, Dr. Ritu Thurr. The programme was chaired by Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, Dr. Vibeituonuo M. Sachu.

(Vihepu, IA Niuland)