Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01 2010:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat has kicked off State-wide observance of Anti-Malaria Month at Irabot Memorial Hall, Chalou today.
The month long observance is being organised by the State Vector Borne Disease Control Society under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the campaign, Minister Parijat called upon the people to join hands and strive towards complete eradication of malaria from Manipur.
Even as the State Government has been distributing disinfectant treated mosquito nets to BPL families every year, the Government has no capacity to distribute to such mosquito to each and every family of the State, Erabot conceded.
As such, the Government has made arrangements to treat mosquito nets brought by private individuals with disinfectants.
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner V Vumlunmang said that many people are dying from malaria in the North East region even as mosquitoes have disappeared from many developed countries.
Nevertheless, the number of deaths due to malaria has been declining in Manipur following sustained anti-malaria measures.
State Malaria Officer Dr H Nimaichand said that malaria is as much contagious as HIV/AIDS.
Special measures for treatment of malaria have been put in place at RIMS, JNIMS as well as district hospitals of Churachandpur and Tamenglong, Nimaichand said.
So far 79,000 disinfectant treated mosquito nets have been distributed to BPL families and pregnant women.
Moreover, more than three lakh mosquito nets brought by private individuals have been treated with disinfectants.
The function was also attended by Health Director Dr Y Yaima.