Be prepared to tackle vector borne diseases: Singpho

Itanagar, July 7 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Health and Family Welfare C C Singpho called upon the medical department to be well prepared to tackle all vector borne diseases, particularly malaria.

Speaking in the review-cum-evaluation meeting of District Vector Borne Disease Control Societies here yesterday, Mr Singpho cautioned that report of very few malaria-related deaths this year against 196 deaths last year was no reason for complacency since the killer disease could raise its ugly head anywhere. Even the high altitude Tawang district is nor safe with global warming taking its toll on the environment and creating breeding grounds for growth of malaria parasites.

Special efforts were needed for Changlang, Tirap, Lohit and Lower Dibang Valley districts of the state which had accounted for the maximum number of malaria deaths last year, he said and directed to replace old microscopes, old mosquito nets with new ones preferably of quality brand.

The Minister also told the district medical officers to make the best use of the National Rural health Mission(NHRM) programmes to benefit the masses, according to official sources.

Appreciating the proactive measures towards prevention and control of malaria departing from reactive steps in the previous years, health secretary Tape Bagra exhorted the district medical officers(DMOs) not to allow the media to caught them off guards and the issue to be raised in the state assembly, sources added.

UNI