Kohima: Nagaland reported only four malaria positive cases last year, while there have been no deaths due to the disease, an official said on Thursday (April 25). Nagaland observed World Malaria Day across the state on Thursday on the theme “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world” with a state-level event held at the secretariat conference hall here.
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Addressing the gathering, Principal Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr E Motsuthung Patton said, like many others, Nagaland has felt the devastating impact of malaria for far too long. He said,
The toll it has taken on our families, our communities, and our economy cannot be understated. Even in the face of such adversity, we have shown resilience, determination, and innovation in our efforts to control and ultimately eliminate this disease by 2030.
Data provided by the department for the last six years stated that 2019 had the highest number of Malaria-positive cases at 20. It came down to four last year, while there were no malaria-related deaths during these years.
The journey has been challenging, but it has been also a journey of hope, and success, the Principal Director of the department said. He said,
In districts such as Mokokchung, Longleng and Zunheboto, we have seen significant milestones achieved, where no cases of malaria have been reported for the last three years.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
