Meghalaya has drastically reduced malaria morbidity and mortality over the years but 2023 saw a small uptick in cases and deaths from the disease.
This was informed by the Deputy Director of Health Services (Malaria)-cum-State Programme Officer (NCVBDC) today. June is observed as Anti-Malaria Month every year prior to the onset of the monsoon, which is also the height of the malaria transmission season.
The official pointed out that South Garo Hills contributed most of the cases in the state.
Eight people died of malaria in 2023, an increase on the three who died of the disease in 2021.
The government’s goal is that there will be zero cases of malaria by 2027, with the disease eliminated by 2030.
According to the Deputy Director, 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.
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) 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 to raise awareness on adoption of anti-malarial strategies like getting every fever tested for malaria, use of LLINs (long lasting insecticidal nets), carrying out activities in line with Swatch Bharat and not allowing water to collect as this can lead to mosquito breeding.
It may be mentioned that the health department has stated that online gaming is making young people expose themselves to mosquitoes more and this is having a knock on effect on the state’s malaria figures.
A senior official explained that unlike elderly persons who take precautions and consult a doctor or an accredited social health activist (ASHA) even when they have a mild fever, young people in rural areas often congregate in public spaces under trees for the best internet signal, play games in the evenings after school or work, often wear shorts in the hot weather and are so engrossed in their mobile phones that they do not do enough to shield themselves from mosquito bites.
