Malaria situation in Mizoram 'alarming', says control programme director

National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) director PL Joshi today termed the situation in Mizoram in  regards to malaria as "alarming and emergency situation."

While the population of north eastern states comprised only 4% of the total national population, malaria infection cases was as high as 12%, Joshi said while addressing the Second Regional Review Meeting on Malaria held in Aizawl.

He urged the state health department officials to concentrate on mass awareness campaign so that malaria patients can receive timely treatment.

Inaugurating the meeting, Mizoram health minister Lalrinliana Sailo said that malaria remains the biggest killer disease in Mizoram as 119 people fell prey to the dreaded disease during January to October last year.

The meeting was attended by health officials and doctors from the seven states of the north east region.