SHILLONG:
On World Malaria Day, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh raised concern over open drains, garbage, and ponds which may be the breeding ground of mosquitoes.
Addressing the gathering on World Malaria Day at the State Convention Centre on April 27, the minister said that Malaria has to be eradicated and praised the department for ensuring a decrease in the cases of malaria from 2015.
World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25. The theme for this year’s programme is “Time to deliver zero malaria: Invest, innovate, implement.”
Lyngdoh said, “We can see a lot of open drains, you can still see a lot of ponds everywhere and a lot of garbage. So how do we ensure that we do what we need to do at the right time?”
She called upon various line departments such as the Public Works Department (PWD), the Urban Affairs to work together and even Fisheries that has come up with many schemes but stagnant ponds are seen everywhere.
She asked, “So, do we have the wherewithal to ensure that the entire convergence model that you have planned here will be a workable model?”
She was told that Shillong in East Khasi Hills is a hotspot for the breeding of mosquitoes and threw a challenge to the department as to what will be the next step.
As for the outcome of the world malaria day observation, she said that there must be a positive rippling effect and suggested if there should be collaborations with departments such as PWD, the Municipal Board.
She reiterated the pledge to eliminate malaria by 2030.
Principal secretary Health department Sampath Kumar said that there is a need to work with a purpose.
It is learnt that the state of Meghalaya has drastically reduced the Malaria morbidity and mortality over the years and continues to move on the path of Malaria elimination.