Bhubaneshwar: The Odisha government and the Malaria No More India (MNM) launched Malaria Action Coailition (MAC) with a vision to make the State malaria free by 2030.
The MAC will act as a multi-sectoral coordination platform, chaired by the government of Odisha, with representation from non-government technical, research and implementation agencies as well as private sectors, donors, investors and media partners to support the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme of the State government.
The coalition was launched by Odisha health minister Naba Kishore Das, here on Saturday. The event was attended by health secretary Dr. P.K. Meherda, special secretary Dr. H. P. Patnaik, country director MNM Dr. Sanjeev Gaikwad and Abbott general manager Bhaskar Malladi.
Speaking on the occasion, Naba Kishore Das, stressed on the commitment to curb malaria in the state.
Dr. Sanjeev Gaikwad said, “To make Odisha malaria free, we realized that there was a need of a body that brings together efforts of various stakeholders on a single platform. We believe, MAC will seamlessly fill that gap and bring new insights which will make the fight against malaria inclusive and intensive.”
The launch saw participation from private players like Abbott India, working in the sector to support the fight against malaria. Abbott has supplied 1 million rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and technical expertise to strengthen Odisha’s malaria detection and surveillance system.
For the past two years MNM India has been working both at national level and in India’s highest malaria endemic state, Odisha to eliminate malaria by 2030.
