World Malaria Day observed at Senapati
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Senapati, April 25 2019: The State Health Society, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Manipur observed "World Malaria Day" at Mount Everest School & College Chapel Hall, Senapati today.

The day was observed under the theme "Zero Malaria starts with me".

The event was graced by Somorjit Salam, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, Dr N I Singh, Addl Sr Regional Director, ROH & FW, GoI Imphal, Dr H Loli Mao, Chief Medical Officer, Senapati and Dr Thangpa Serto, State Malaria Officer, NVBDCP, Imphal as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking at the event, Somorjit Salam said that Senapati district, which was recently declared "Open Defecation Free" (ODF), might soon achieve the target of Zero Malaria status.

World Malaria Day observed at Senapati

Saying that Manipur was once malaria epidemic State and one has to take anti-malaria vaccine while visiting interior villages, he added that the continuous effort of State Government and all the concerned have put the disease on the verge of eradication.

He also appealed all the medical officers to distribute mosquito nets to the public of vulnerable areas at the earliest as a precautionary measure.

Dr Thangpa Serto also spoke at the event.

India has done remarkable job in controlling malaria and of all the Indian States, Manipur has the best performance, he said and added that collective effort of both the authorities concerned and public is needed to eradicate malaria once and for all.

It may be mentioned that April 25 is observed as World Malaria Day globally and this year's theme is "Zero Malaria Starts with me".

Malaria is a disease caused by parasite that transmitted to people through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

In 2017, WHO estimated 219 million malaria cases and 4,35, 000 malaria deaths in 87 countries.

India represents 4% of global malaria burden.

Manipur has the lowest cases of malaria among North-Eastern States with just 12 malaria cases reported from Churachandpur district and Pherzawl district in 2018.The State is aiming to eradicate malaria and achieve "Zero Malaria" status by 2021.Senapati district had zero malaria cases and deaths in 2018.Several DLOs, MOs, School Principals and ASHA volunteers too attended the programme among others.