Meghalaya govt keeping a close watch on malaria

Shillong, Jul 4 (UNI) Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Minister Elstone D Marak today said the government was keeping a close watch on malaria to ensure that the recurrence of epidemic is avoided.

Replying to a call attention, moved by Independent Legislator Manas Chaudhuri in the Assembly, Mr Marak said malaria was on the decline and under control in Garo Hills due to action taken by the department and Deputy Commissioners of the Garo Hills districts.

The Health Minister said the toll due to malaria in Garo Hills this year had gone up to 24.

He said this year Assam also reported high number of deaths and most of the affected areas are situated in the border of Assam and Bangladesh.

Admitting that impregnation of bed nets could not be taken up on largescale due to shortage of chemical supply, Mr Marak informed the House that the Centre had sent in the chemical supply and the same was distributed to all District Malaria Officers in the state.

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