In significant achievement in the health sector, Nagaland witnessed zero death from malaria between 2018 and 2024. This was disclosed by Health & Family Welfare minister P Paiwang Konyak at a programme held at Town Hall here on Friday on the occasion of World Malaria Day on the theme “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Re-imagine, Reignite”.
Sharing the state’s progress in the fight against malaria over the past two decades, Konyak cited official data to reveal that while malaria-related death was zero in 2005, it witnessed a sharp spike in 2006 with 75 recorded deaths.
He however claimed that sustained efforts by healthcare workers brought significant improvements, with the death rate remaining zero from 2018 to 2024.
Dwelling on the theme, he said “Malaria ends with us” was a declaration of ownership and accountability, stressing that the responsibility of eliminating malaria did not lie solely with health departments or global agencies but with every individual, from policy makers to families living in malaria-endemic areas.
“Together, we have the power to make malaria a disease of the past,” he asserted. Konyak stated that the slogan was more than a catchphrase but a call to action.
“We must reinvest not only in funding, but in our commitment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, ensure the availability of diagnostics, treatments, and preventive tools like insecticide-treated nets and indoor spraying,” he emphasised.
He also stressed “re-imagining” strategies in response to evolving challenges, including climate change, urbanisation, and shifting mosquito behaviour, calling for innovation through technology, data-driven interventions, and inclusive partnerships involving the private sector, youth, and civil society.
Urging all stakeholders to “reignite” the momentum in the global fight against malaria, he noted that the world had made commendable progress, but the pace had slowed in recent years.
He cautioned, “We cannot afford complacency. Hence, let this day renew our passion, our urgency and our collective will to finish what we started.”
He expressed appreciation to health workers for their dedication and commitment towards the call of humanity and on this World Malaria Day, appealing all to pledge a future where no child would die from a mosquito bite, no family was burdened by a preventable illness, and malaria was no longer a threat to development and health.
He elaborated, “Malaria ends with us if we reinvest wisely, re-imagine boldly, and reignite our fight with renewed energy and hope.”
The programme was chaired by Health & Family Welfare director Dr Margaret and keynote address delivered by Health & Medical Education director Dr Sedimeren Aonok, while vote of thanks was delivered by Dimapur chief medical officer Dr Temsu Lkr.
Joint director & SPO NVBDCP, DoH&FW, Dr Neisakho Kere felicitated six individuals. These included Khrusayi Khamo (best performing DCBD consultant), Ajung Chang (best performing malaria technical supervisor), T Pentsu and Elochila (best performing surveillance workers under Dimapur), and Kilangyala and Hukali Chishi (best performing ASHAs).