Apang suggests multi-pronged approach to tackle malaria

Itanagar, Oct 27 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang today advocated a multi-pronged approach involving the civil society, elected members, panchayat leaders, NGOs and youth to contain malaria, which had taken form of an epidemic in various parts of the state.

Mr Apang came to the rescue of Health and Family Welfare Minister C C Singpho, who could not satisfy BJP legislator Tani Loffa and Opposition Leader Kameng Dolo during question hour, for his department's failure to collect death reports from Bana area of East Kameng district though it had recorded 100 malarial deaths during the past three months.

Informing his government's resolve to tackle the menace, the chief minister said that water throughout the state would be tested to know the cause of such epidemics.

Water resources, public health engineering, science&technology departments with health as nodal department would hold a joint meeting tomorrow, he added.

Stressing on cleanliness drive as part of the approach, Mr Apang hinted at reviving an earlier cabinet decision to award best village and township of the state. A weekly cleanliness drive should be conducted by the people in their areas to prevent diseases, he added.

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