Imphal, June 28 2009: Underscoring the significant role that media can play in bridging the gap between the public and the activities of the Manipur State Vector Borne Disease Control Society, an advocacy meeting of the media personnel on prevention and control of vector-borne diseases was held under the aegis of the Society as part of its ongoing Anti-Malaria Month, 2009 observance at the conference hall of State Guest House here today.

Considered to be the first such advocacy meeting of the mediapersons in the State on the issue, the meeting was inaugurated by Director of Health Services, Government of Manipur Dr W Motilal Singh as chief guest.

Regional Director in-charge of ROH & FW, Government of India Dr N Inaocha Singh and State Malaria Officer, NVBDCP, Manipur Dr H Nimaichand Singh were also presented at the occasion as guest of honour and functional president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr N Inaocha Singh noted that unlike other issues like TB, HIV, etc advocacy meeting for media personnel on vector borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis has never been held in the past inspite of its long felt necessity.

Though the incidence of Malaria has come down specially in valley areas of Manipur, it stills remain a grave concern in endemic areas of hill districts due to lack of awareness and infrastructures, he said, adding that it is here that media can do its part in disseminating correct information to the people.

In his address as the chief guest, Dr W Motilal appreciated the role that media has been playing in a land-locked State like Mani-pur in providing 'first hand report' on the outbreak of diseases in remote area.

It is because of such reports that timely action could be taken up in time and the Department concerned is put on its toes, he added.

In his presidential address, Dr Nimaichand observed that fatality from vector borne diseases can be prevented if it could be detected and treated promptly.

Though the Malaria situation in the State over the last five years has been showing gradual sign of improvement with only two deaths reported in 2008 as against 8 deaths in 2004, we should not remain complacent as the mode of transmission has been undergoing rapid transformation, he said.

Dr Nimaichand also spoke on the topic of NVBDCP : Scenario, National objectives and strategies of the programme' during the technical session of the meeting.

Other resource persons who made presentations include Entomologist, NVBDCP, HQ Y Krishna on 'Mosquito Morphology/Victor Bionomics'; Biologist of NVBDCP State HQ T Kamini Singh on 'Integrated Vector Management' and Editor of Ireibak daily Irengbam Arun on 'Role of media in the prevention and control of vector borne diseases'.

The technical session was followed by an interactive session between the participants and the resource persons.

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