CM of Tripura highlights progress in malaria elimination efforts at the Asia-Pacific Leaders Conclave

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Apr 24, 2023

Agartala, Apr 24 (FD) The Chief Minister of Tripura, Dr. Manik Saha, recently attended the Asia-Pacific Leaders Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi. The Chief Minister spoke at the colloquium on the issues that the people of Tripura face, particularly in the steep terrain and woods where malaria has been a problem. He mentioned the 2014 malaria epidemic, which impacted over 51,000 individuals and claimed 96 deaths.

However, the Chief Minister also stated that screening has increased since then and the number of cases has decreased dramatically. Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets (LLIN) distribution has also grown, with over 9 lakh nets delivered in the last two years alone.

Along with awareness campaigns in endemic regions, vector management strategies like larvicidal fish and Temephos spray have also been put into practice. With assistance from the Indian government, the Global Fund, and research institutions like the ICMR, the state is now better prepared to combat malaria and has an almost 100% cure rate.

The Tripura primary healthcare system, which includes more than 100 PHCs, 1,018 sub-centres that have been upgraded to Health and Wellness Centres, and more than 7,728 ASHA sisters employed in the state was also emphasized by the Chief Minister. The state is now in a position to imagine eradicating malaria thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, and it intends to do it before the national deadline of 2030.

Health ministers from various states, WHO members, and representatives from many Asian nations all attended the conference, stressing the significance of coordinated efforts to eradicate malaria in the Asia-Pacific area. FD SB JK