Itanagar: Nineteen out of the 27 districts of Arunachal Pradesh have been declared malaria free, a state govt official said.The World Malaria Day 2026 observance was organised with the national theme, ‘Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must’, at the directorate of health services office at Naharlagun on Saturday.Speaking at the event, health services deputy director and National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control state programme officer Dr KT Mulung said the state has now reached a low malaria burden, with only 32 cases reported in 2025, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing control measures.The malaria-free districts include Anjaw, Dibang Valley, East Kameng, East Siang, Kamle, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Leparada, Longding, Lower Dibang Valley, Lower Siang, Lower Subansiri, Namsai, Pakke Kessang, Siang, Tawang, Upper Subansiri, West Kameng and West Siang. The official said it reflected a remarkable progress in public health interventions across the state.Dr Mulung highlighted the critical role of sustained awareness, inter-sectoral coordination, and active community participation in preventing and controlling malaria. He praised the relentless efforts and dedication of healthcare workers, field staff, surveillance teams, and community volunteers whose collective contributions have been instrumental in achieving these milestones. He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the health department in achieving a malaria-free Arunachal Pradesh by 2027, in line with national targets.As part of the observance, a malaria pledge and slogan session was conducted, during which participants reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts towards malaria prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment.A short video presentation on malaria awareness and control measures was screened during the programme.The video effectively showcased impactful field stories, best practices, and the importance of timely intervention in reducing the malaria burden.
