Intersectoral Convergence meeting held
SHILLONG: Additional Chief Secretary RV Suchiang has urged all line departments to come up with a resolution to be submitted to the Secretary of the Health Department on how to prevent malaria and other vector borne diseases.
While speaking at the Intersectoral Convergence meeting for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya, Suchiang stated that control and prevention of malaria and other diseases should not be left to the Health Department alone.
Suchiang also stressed on the need for a policy framework to guide departments in the district on how to tackle malaria. The policy should also spell out the roles of the concerned departments, roles for planning, implementation and monitoring of malaria and other vector borne diseases, she said. Meghalaya is recognised as one of eight states in the Northeastern region, with high malaria burden. Although the state has been able to bring down malaria disease burden by 87 per cent in the past three years, a concerted effort is mandated from the state government departments, armed forces and private partners to achieve the goal of Malaria Elimination by 2030 as per the “National Framework for Malaria Elimination” of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Health Society, Matisiewdor War Nongbri, and officials from the Health and other line departments were also present. The DC said that malaria is a preventable condition. However, efforts need to be intensified for the prevention, control of the disease. She urged on the stakeholders to intensify their efforts and not be complacent so as to achieve the goal of Malaria Elimination by 2030. The programme was organised by the office of the Deputy Director Health Services (Malaria) and the Directorate of Health Services (MI).
On the occasion, a booklet entitled Intersectoral Convergence for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya 2019 was released by Suchiang.
