Mon, April 27 (MExN): Inorder to achieve WHO certification to eliminate malaria by 2030 and Measles Rubella (MR) by 2023, the District Task Force of the concerned goals moves forward in achieving the target by conducting a meeting at DC conference hall, Mon on April 26.
An update issued by Leeyan Chemshy, Media officer, NHM, Mon stated that briefing on the status of the malaria cases in the state, Dr Vezokholu Theyo, Chief Medical Officer, Mon highlighted on the outbreak occurred in 2009, where 489 people were detected with Malaria, out of which 35 people died. In 2022, indigenous and imported cases were reported. Coming to the status of the district, she said, in 2018 a number of 17 positive cases were reported, in 2019 one positive case and in 2020 there were 4 cases. While in 2021 and 2022, the district had zero cases reported.
Dr Vezokholu pointed out on the clear picture of how the cases have decreased: the use of DDT powder in the previous years (which is banned now); long Lasting Insecticide Net (LLIN); launching of National framework for malaria elimination in 2016; wide spread of IEC/BCC activities in collaboration with the stakeholders; Rapid Diagnostic test for malaria; Collection of blood samples of fever cases by the Surveillance Worker (SW).
After briefing on the target to eliminate MR by 2023, Dr Vezokholu also gave a short description on immunization programme and maternal and child death surveillance response.
Dy CMO, Dr Thomas Keppen also DVBO, Mon incharge pointed out that the Annual Blood Examination Report (ABER) is very low in the district. “It means that the screening at the grassroot level is low,” he stated while adding, “if the ABER screening is atleast 8% to 9% and the result is still zero, the department can confidently move forward in achieving the goal of eliminating Malaria by 2030.” He also pointed out that the number of ASHAs active is very less compared to the total of ASHAs. “If the ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and the SWs are active in collecting the blood samples, the dept will surely be successful,” he added.
Dr Wungyong Konyak, DPO (RCH&UIP) highlighted on the action plan towards the MR elimination goal. He said the district has a target of 3360 0-5 years unvaccinated children for MR 1 and 2 doses. He also reported that the district has reviewed two infant’s deaths in the month of February. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Mon Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS welcomed all the members of the committee and announced the purpose of the meeting.
