Three days RRM attended by 10 GFATM states
Itangar (Arunachal Pradesh) : Speaking on the inaugural session of the Regional Review Meeting (RRM) of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), the Commissioner H&FW, Shir Pawan Kumar Sain IAS, urged the participants to discuss on the key issues, identify lacunae and come out with actionable points. The Mission Director NHM, Shri Marge Sora APCS (AG), instructed the staff to prepare micro plan for every village and work in coordination with the administration. He also expected the participants to learn from the practices of other states. The Deputy Commissioner Lower Subansiri, Shri HP Vivek IAS, district speaking on the occasion applauded Lower Subansiri district for achieving malaria free status two years ahead before the set target. He also commended on the first of its kind waste disposal initiative in the district and urged the participants to get a first-hand experience of the system. Another factor that he spoke on was the blood sample transportation adopted in the district. In remote and inaccessible areas, the blood samples are being transported via drones. This not only shortens the time for diagnosis but also increases the quality of diagnosis. Noting the presence of Panchayat Raj Initiative (PRI) members in the audience, he advocated for intersectoral coordination such as PRI, PHED, PWD, UD and administration, without which malaria free status would not be attainable and sustained.
Speaking in the meeting, Dr. Pranab Jyoti Bhuyan CHS, Additional Director NCVBDC, MoH&FW Govt of India, informed that now there is 81.59% reduction in malaria cases compared to 2015 in the GFATM states. In the same period and states, there is 79.76% reduction in death cases. India is set to be declared malaria free by the year 2030, which means that there shall be no indigenous cases of malaria in the country from 2027.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. KT Mulung, State Program Officer NCVBDC Arunachal Pradesh and the Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Nani Rika, District Medical Officer Lower Subansiri district. All the Senior Regional Director, MoH&FW Govt of India attended the meeting.
The RRM is a quarterly event that is attended by all the states that are funded by GFATM (Global Fund for AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria). The 10 GFATM states include the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Odissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkand. In addition, representatives from the Government of India also attend the meeting. This time the meeting was organized St. Claret College, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh and hosted by the State Program Unit in coordination with District Program Unit NCVBDC.