TURA: In a major attempt to check the spread of malaria by eradicating the disease causing mosquitoes from water bodies, the Gambusia Affinis hatchery was inaugurated in the medical campus of Baghmara by deputy commissioner district heath society chairman H B Marak on Thursday.
Speaking on the significance of the event deputy commissioner H.B.Marak said that efforts are being made to eradicate this malaria disease and a target has been set by the World Health Organisation and the Government of India to eliminate this disease by 2020.
He called for community participation and political support in achieving the target in a given period of time. “With the inauguration of Gambusia Hatchery we are optimistic that the number of malaria cases will be reduced in the years to come,” said the deputy commissioner.
The District Malaria Officer Dr Bonie D Shira while highlighting the scenario of the malaria cases in the District said that although the malaria cases in the District is still high yet the elimination is achievable.
He informed that as per the data recorded in the District there were two malaria deaths in the year 2018-19 and till date the cases of malaria reported were only 147 till March 2019 indicating a decline in the disease.
He called for the joint action between the nodal officers and the community as a whole to eliminate the disease and to prioritise the malaria prevention activities.
The National Deworming Day was also launched on the same day by the Deputy Commissioner.
The DM & HO of South Garo Hills District Dr Lily Sengme Marak said that National Deworming Day was first launched in the year 2015 in order to give worm free life to children. Worm infestation is a disease that can caused poor health condition to children and in order to give safe and healthy childhood albendazole tablet is being administered to every children belonging to the age group of 1-19 years and the schools and anganwadi centres are being taken as a platform to administer this tablets, informed the doctor.
She urged upon the gathering to join their hands together in eliminating this morbidity by 2020 and make worm free society.
During the programme the medical team demonstrated the hand washing techniques to prevent disease and also presented an exhibition on Vector Borne Control Measures to the gathering.