The two-day state review meeting of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) was held at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, on March 21 and 22, 2025.
Addressing the gathering at the inaugural event, Principal Director Health and Family Welfare, Dr. E. Motsuthung Patton, highlighted the commendable progress made in controlling malaria in the state.
He informed that the declining number of malaria cases was a testament to the collective efforts, dedication of healthcare workers, and commitment of district authorities.
He stressed the need to move forward with renewed determination to eliminate malaria completely. To achieve this, he urged every district to take proactive steps in preparing for malaria elimination certification, which requires meticulous documentation, thorough reporting, and adherence to prescribed guidelines.
He further called on districts to expedite the preparation of necessary records to ensure full readiness for the Malaria Sub-Elimination Committee’s verification process. Highlighting Nagaland’s leadership in malaria elimination efforts in the Northeast, Dr. Motsuthung urged stakeholders to ensure that the state maintains its momentum and does not lag behind.
Expressing concern about other vector-borne diseases, particularly Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Dengue, Dr. Motsuthung cited the dengue outbreak in 2023 as a stark reminder that complacency was not an option. He emphasized that alongside malaria elimination, strategies for the prevention and control of JE and Dengue must also be strengthened.
Dr. L. A. Singh, Senior Regional Director of RoHFW, Imphal, acknowledged Nagaland’s remarkable achievement in reducing malaria cases, a feat no other state has accomplished so far. He urged the state to work toward obtaining malaria elimination certification at the sub-elimination level.
Dr. Singh informed the gathering that a national-level committee has been constituted to oversee malaria elimination certification. He explained that the evaluation committee would visit districts and health units, and upon satisfaction with the efforts and documentation, would grant certification.
He urged the state and districts to maintain proper records and strictly adhere to guidelines to achieve this goal. Delivering welcome address, Dr. Neisakho Kere, Joint Director and State Programme Officer (SPO) of NVBDCP, recalled that the highest number of malaria cases was recorded in 2009, with 8,489 cases and 35 deaths.
He noted that since the launch of the malaria elimination program in 2015, following NVBDCP Delhi’s guidelines, cases have significantly declined. No malaria-related deaths have been recorded since 2016.
Dr. Kere further informed that only five malaria cases have been reported in 2024, with Mokokchung, Peren, Phek, and Zunheboto identified as focus areas. He also highlighted that Longleng has not reported a single malaria case in the past five years, making it eligible for malaria elimination certification.
As Nagaland nears malaria elimination, Dr. Kere stressed that no malaria case should go undetected. He urged all healthcare providers to ensure that every fever patient visiting OPDs be screened for malaria unless proven to have another illness.