Ending Malaria remains a top priority: Nagaland Govt

Nagaland achieved the highest decline in cases of new infections

DIMAPUR, APRIL 25 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government has made a clarion call for the elimination of Malaria as the world observes World Malaria Day on April 25. A press release from the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department urged all to “take inspiration from our successes” on this World Malaria Day. 

“With commitment and resources, we can eliminate malaria and achieve all our development objectives. We should all learn ways to keep ourselves and others safe from malaria. Let us pledge to come forward and work together to achieve a malaria free country by 2030,” the department said.

Every year, World Malaria Day is observed on April 25 to create a global awareness of the disease named malaria. It is observed to raise awareness of the global effort to control and ultimately eliminate malaria. World Malaria Day is observed to recognize the existence of malaria in countries worldwide and to bring greater awareness to the global fight against the disease. 

“Malaria has a devastating impact on families, communities, and societies. It is a preventable as well as a treatable disease and has created problems for the health and livelihood of people across the world. Malaria has been a major public health problem and despite several challenges, the state has made great strides in the past few decades towards eliminating malaria. Ending Malaria remains a top government priority of the state,” the department added.

We will make it a success: Gov
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Governor, La. Ganesan said he was pleased that the World Malaria Day is being observed in Nagaland on April 25 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of Malaria and to step up efforts to combat and eliminate Malaria globally.  

The country has reached a critical juncture in the fight against malaria and in recent years the worldwide campaign against malaria has both picked up momentum and produced impressive results, the Governor stated in a press release.

In continuation of this momentum, global leaders at the UN General Assembly pledged to eliminate malaria epidemic completely by 2030 as a part of the Sustainable Development Goals, he noted. Ganesan therefore said it is critical that “we redouble our efforts to achieve this goal.”

He congratulated the Government of Nagaland for its progressive efforts towards the elimination of Malaria. The Governor mentioned that Nagaland is the top contender in elimination of malaria from among the North East states.  It is reported that the state has achieved the highest decline in cases of new infections compared to other north eastern India states, he informed.

The Governor meanwhile said that a sense of urgency is a must to continue the momentum towards malaria elimination goal. Early diagnosis of the problems and speedy corrections are imperative coupled with real-time monitoring and efficient redressals of programmatic bottlenecks are essential if elimination is to succeed, he observed.

“Malaria elimination, though an ambitious target, is possible and achievable in our state. We will make it a success by working together with renewed commitment,” he stated.

CM calls for active community participation
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also issued a message stating that the purpose of this day is to raise public awareness about Malaria and to provide inspiration to the global community and all affected countries that are working to root out this deadly disease and improve the health and livelihood of their people.

He informed that the Government of India and the state of Nagaland through the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has taken the onus of making India Malaria free by 2030. This year’s theme ‘Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement,’ is particularly important in the context of our state and country, as we are working to eliminate malaria nationally and to contribute to improved health, quality of life and alleviation of poverty, the Chief Minister said.

He appreciated the health care workers for their tireless work in providing free diagnosis and treatment to Malaria positive patients. “I would also like to felicitate our fellow citizens who have taken up the fight against Malaria,” he added.

Rio assured that the Nagaland State Government will give further momentum to ensure that the gains in this regard are sustained despite of many challenges, and the march towards malaria elimination does not slow down. “With active community participation and sound inter-sectoral coordination, will be able to achieve its malaria elimination target by 2030,” he hoped.

“Let us come together on this World Malaria Day and continue our fight against Malaria to achieve a healthier and brighter future,” the Chief Minister appealed.