Malaria case in Kangpokpi district has shrunk dramatically in past 11 years: DMO Kangpokpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, June 15 2019: Even if Malaria still remains a public health problem globally and nationally, there has been significant decrease in newly created Kangpokpi District over the past 11 years with no Malaria case reported in the year 2018, said Dr Ph Henkhoneng Mate, District Malaria Officer, Kangpokpi during the observance function of World Malaria Day at Kangpokpi District Headquarters which was attended by Lalramsang Infimate (MCS), Addl DC, Kangpokpi as chief guest, Dr Kimneng Misao, CMO Kangpokpi as functional president, Lunseh Kipgen, Chairman, Kangpokpi Town Committee and Demkhosei Haokip, AIS, Kangpokpi as guests of honour.

The District Malaria Officer said that the world has made incredible progress against Malaria but after a decade of steady advances in fighting the treatable disease, progress has leveled off and we are still too far from the end point we seek - a world free of Malaria while adding that, according to WHO latest report, no significant gains were made in reducing Malaria cases in the period from 2015 to 2017 and the estimated number of Malaria death in 2017 is 4,35,000 which remained virtually unchanged over the previous years.

"Every year, the global tally of new Malaria cases exceeds 200 million and every 2 minutes, a child dies from this preventable and treatable disease", the DMO asserted.

She continued that the burden of India over Malaria case still remains a public health issue in several parts of the country and according to WHO estimate, India accounts for three-quarter of all Malaria cases in South East Asia while according to World Malaria Report 2012, India is in the 18th Position in the total Malaria cases and on the 12th position in reported Malaria death.

In Manipur, the DMO Kangpokpi said, the highest incidence of reported Malaria during the last 20 years was 2,736 in the year 2004 but it was only 6 cases reported in 2018 which is a reduction by 99% and the State aims to eliminate Malaria by 2021.She also said that there were 512 cases of Malaria reported in 2006 from Kangpokpi District but within 10 years it was drastically reduced and only 8 cases have been reported in 2016 while significantly no cases of Malaria was reported in 2018 .

"Considering the epidemiological data trend, it is the right time for the people of Kangpokpi district to focus their attention towards elimination of Malaria in the district by 2020", said Dr Ph Henkhoneng Mate.

She appeals the people of Kangpokpi to join hands together, cooperate and support one another and take ownership in elimination of Malaria within the stipulated time and end the disease in the district in line with the theme of this year World Malaria Day observation, "Zero Malaria Starts with Me" .

A rally was organized in connection with the World Malaria Day observance along the Trans Asian Highway No 1 within the District Headquarters till District Hospital Kangpokpi participated by the student community, the general public and health workers.

All others dignitaries of the event also spoke on the occasion while appreciating the District Malaria Officer and her staff and the health sector for their resourceful efforts and commitment.

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