Wokha, February 26 (MExN): A high-level review meeting of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) was held at the Chief Medical Officer’s Conference Hall in Wokha district on Tuesday to assess malaria control and other vector-borne disease activities.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Imkongtemsu, State Programme Officer (SPO) and Joint Director, and attended by district health officials, surveillance workers and NVBDCP staff. The session reviewed the performance of surveillance workers (SW), malaria technical supervisors (MTS) and the overall implementation of vector-borne disease control measures, with a particular focus on malaria.
Dr Imkongtemsu commended the district for progress in key NVBDCP indicators, including a reduction in confirmed malaria cases over the past year and improved slide positivity rates attributed to enhanced use of rapid diagnostic testing.
However, he pointed out gaps in vector surveillance, citing inconsistent and underreporting of cases from remote villages.
During the meeting, several recommendations were made to strengthen surveillance and control measures. Officials called for intensifying surveillance and increasing active case detection (ACD) and monthly fever surveillance in border areas. Emphasis was laid on prioritising quality over quantity by training field staff in standardised data collection practices.
The team also stressed the need to strengthen vector management through community engagement and awareness campaigns, leveraging ASHA workers and local platforms to encourage early reporting of fever cases.
Deputy Director Dr Tinurenla underscored the importance of coordination with grassroots-level workers, particularly ASHAs, to activate surveillance activities in hard-to-reach areas.
Highlighting the importance of accurate monitoring, Dr Imkongtemsu said robust surveillance forms the backbone of malaria elimination, as quality data enables timely interventions and helps prevent outbreaks. He directed the district NVBDCP team to conduct follow-up reviews to ensure implementation of the recommendations.
The meeting aligns with Nagaland’s target of achieving malaria-free status by 2030 under the national elimination programme. Health officials reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts amid growing concerns over climate-driven proliferation of disease vectors.
