Shillong, June 23: 14 deaths due to malaria were reported in Meghalaya in 2023.
Speaking to reporters on the status of malaria cases in the state, Dr MK Sohliya, deputy director of health services (malaria), said compared to 2022, more deaths were reported in 2023 and one death till date in 2024.
According to Sohliya, Meghalaya has drastically reduced the Malaria morbidity and mortality over the years. “But in 2023 there was an increase of malaria cases and deaths compared to the year 2022 with South Garo Hills District contributing most of the cases in our state”, she said.
South Garo Hills recorded 72 per cent of the malaria cases due to its proximity with border. Climate change is cited as the cause for the spread of malaria.
Besides other initiatives to control malaria , Gambusia affinis, larvivorous fish are used to feed on mosquitoes, said K Wanshong, entomologist Shillong zone.
Sohliya said June is being observed as anti malaria month every year prior to the onset of monsoon and malaria transmission season. The objective of the campaign is to bring sustainable changes in the community behaviour towards malaria elimination.
World Malaria Day was observed on April 25 with the theme “Accelerating the Fight Against malaria for a more Equitable World”. Various activities were carried out across the state to spread awareness on the prevention and control of malaria among the community thus intensifying efforts towards reaching the goal of achieving the zero indigenous cases by 2027 and eliminating malaria by 2030.
To sustain the momentum towards malaria elimination many activities have been planned. As Malaria surveillance has become a core intervention, mass screenings are being conducted in all remote and hard to reach villages across the state by malaria workers along with the ASHAs. All fever cases are also being screened by ANMs during VHND sessions. The focus of these surveillance and screening activities is to ensure universal access to early malaria diagnosis and prompt treatment by enhancing and optimising case management. ASHAs and malaria programme workers are equipped and trained for blood slide collection, RDTs (Rapid Diagnostic Tests) testing and are provided with antimalarials at the village level as early diagnosis and complete treatment is one of the strategies outlined in the framework for malaria elimination.
Various campaigns are being held in schools and villages involving the students, Village Health Councils, NGOs, Faith based organisations, student organisations and traditional healers to raise awareness on adoption of anti-malarial strategies like getting every fever tested for malaria, use of LLINS and carrying out activities in line with Swatch Bharat and not allowing water to collect which might lead to mosquito breeding.
