NAHARLAGUN: A state review meeting on vector-borne diseases was organized by the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), state health society, Arunachal Pradesh, at Naharlagun from February 12 to 14.
Dr LS Singh, senior regional director (MoHFW), Shillong; Marge Sora, APCS (MD NHM); Dr R Rina (Jt DHS) cum DHS in-charge; Dr W Lama, Jt DHS (NCVBDC), along with Dr KT Mulung, DDHS-cum-SPO (NCVBDC); district programme officer; state consultants; and district consultants attended the meeting.
Dr KT Mulung highlighted that 14 out of 25 districts in Arunachal Pradesh are eligible for malaria-free certification.
Marge Sora praised the staff for the decrease in malaria cases in Arunachal Pradesh, attributing it to continuous efforts from the department.
He urged the staff to pay special attention to border areas as they are the most vulnerable.
Dr R Rina congratulated all staff for the decrease in malaria cases and hoped that by 2027, Arunachal Pradesh could eliminate malaria.
He emphasized the need for caution, recalling how malaria resurged during his medical college days and urged the department to be more careful.
Dr LS Singh emphasized the importance of strengthening the ‘3T’ approach – Test, Treat, Track – to eliminate malaria from Arunachal Pradesh.
He advised proper documentation for successful malaria elimination certification and maintaining an Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER).