SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s Health Minister, A.L. Hek appealed to fight superstitious beliefs prevailing in the state pertaining to malaria to ensure the disease is eradicated by 2030.
Speaking on the occasion of World Malaria Day on Wednesday at U Soso Tham Auditorium, he said, “The need of the hour is to disseminate message on how to eradicate malaria and the superstitious beliefs that are prevalent especially in rural areas.”
The Minister maintained it is collective responsibility of the society to eradicate malaria from the state in sync with the target of the central government to eradicate malaria by 2030.
“Are we ready to beat malaria? Yes. It is our responsibility to go to rural areas in which superstitious beliefs still prevail over the people,” Hek said.
Terming the students as ambassadors who he said have a role to play and not only the government, he said, “The government, the Health Department alone cannot eradicate malaria without collective responsibility. Be an ambassador of Health Department, society and people of Meghalaya as a whole.”
The World Malaria Day was organized by the Deputy Director of Health Services (Malaria), National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), State Health Society, government of Meghalaya.