Shillong, June 28: Meghalaya is recognized as one of eight states in the North Eastern region with high malaria burden.
Although the State has been able to bring down malaria disease burden by 87% in the past three years, a concerted effort is mandated from the State Government Departments, Armed Forces and private partners to achieve the goal of Malaria Elimination by 2030 as per the “National Framework for Malaria Elimination†of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Working towards this goal and as part of observance of Anti Malaria Month 2019, an Intersectoral Convergence Meeting for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya was held on the theme “Zero Malaria Starts With Me†in Shillong on Friday.
Additional Chief Secretary, R. V. Suchiang graced the occasion as Chief Guest in the presence of East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chairman District Health Society, Matisiewdor W Nongbri, and officials of the Health Department and other line departments.
The programme was organised by the office of the Deputy Director Health Services (Malaria) and the Directorate of Health Services (MI).
Suchiang said that the control and prevention of malaria and other vector borne diseases should not be left to the Health Department alone.
“Establishing a sectoral convergence will facilitate the emergence of a holistic approach towards the prevention of these diseases. All line departments should come up with a resolution and submit the same to the Secretary of Health Department so that the agenda of the Advocacy can be carried forward meaningfully,†Suchiang suggested.
She also stressed on Policy Framework to guide the line departments in the District to tackle problems of prevention and control of malaria. The Policy should also spell out the roles of the concerned departments, roles for planning, implementation and monitoring of malaria and other vector borne diseases, she said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that efforts need to be intensified for the prevention, control of malaria and urged stakeholders to intensify their efforts and not be complacent so as to achieve the goal of Malaria Elimination by 2030.
A booklet entitled Intersectoral Convergence for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya 2019 was released on the occasion.
