Akangjungla
Nagaland state has made major progress in the fight against malaria, according to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland reports in the year 2020 and 2021.
The state of Nagaland is in the elimination phase of malaria where the state is working towards zero malaria positive cases in the state. It is with the concerted efforts of all that malaria positive cases have sharply declined over the years and we even stand to achieve complete malaria elimination from the state in the coming years, the NVBDCP official statement read in 2020. That year, World Malaria Day was observed with the theme ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’. The following year, it was observed with the theme ‘Reaching the Zero Malaria Target’ to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. The World Health Organisation which spearheads this international health campaign has chosen ‘Harness Innovation to Reduce the Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives’ as the theme for the World Malaria Day 2022.
Despite the record of sharp decline cases, in the Southeast Asia, India still accounts a high percentage of malaria positive cases. Therefore, as a country, India is committed to put efforts to reach the ‘vulnerable and unreached populations in underserved areas’ to eradicate Malaria by 2030. The same was reaffirmed by the Union Health Minister on Monday. He made the call for collective effort stating, “Not only diagnosis and treatment, swachhta in our personal and community surroundings and social awareness regarding Malaria control and prevention are equally important in our collective fight against Malaria.”
Each year, irrespective of the themes and the data, the campaign aims to keep ‘malaria high on the political agenda, mobilise additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care.’ On the ground level, the State Governments are engaging grassroots health workers to accelerate the target.
Nevertheless, what's more crucial is to address the lack of consciousness among the general people. There has to be a conscious push to get rid of the misleading perception and beliefs about malaria among the community and also to address the social and economic limitations. In addition with the regular workshops and sensitization programmes, a stronger political leadership, increased financial commitment, practical intervention programmes and strengthening collaboration with the community might perhaps advance the malaria elimination goals.
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