SHILLONG, June 10: The office of the Deputy Director of Health Services (Malaria) will be observing Anti-Malaria month later this month.
Anti-Malaria Month is being observed prior to the onset of the monsoon to enhance level of awareness, encourage community participation through mass media and interpersonal communications and consolidate inter-sectoral collaborative efforts with other government ministries, departments, corporate and voluntary organizations at the state and district level for prevention and control of malaria.
State Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek expressed appreciation to the Health department for observing Anti-Malaria where malaria morbidity and mortality is a major public health concern in the state.
“The disease is greatly affected by social and economic conditions and is a cause of poverty,” Hek said.
Stating that the marginalized sections of the rural population with limited access to quality health care and basic facilities are often the worst sufferers, the minister said.
He also said that medicines are provided free of cost in all centres of the state especially in high endemic areas.
Moreover, he said that integrated vector management like engineering methods for source reduction, larvivorous fishes, long lasting insecticide impregnated nets, Indoor Residual Spray and logistic support have been provided through the Meghalaya State Vector Borne Disease Control Society for containing Malaria.
Therefore, the Minister urged upon all citizens of the state to take active part in prevention and control of Malaria by adopting strategies laid down by the government through the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program and stressed that prevention and control of Malaria will become successful only with the co-operation of NGOs/FBOs, health workers and most of all through the participation of the community.(SP News)
