A senior state government official announced that 19 out of 27 districts in Arunachal Pradesh have been declared malaria-free. The announcement was made during the observance of World Malaria Day 2026, held at the directorate of health services office in Naharlagun on Saturday. The national theme for the event was 'Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must'.
Low Malaria Burden Achieved
Dr KT Mulung, deputy director of health services and state programme officer for the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, stated that the state has reached a low malaria burden, with only 32 cases reported in 2025. This underscores the effectiveness of ongoing control measures.
List of Malaria-Free Districts
The malaria-free districts are: 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. Dr Mulung highlighted that this reflects remarkable progress in public health interventions across the state.
Key Factors in Success
Dr Mulung emphasized the critical role of sustained awareness, inter-sectoral coordination, and active community participation in preventing and controlling malaria. He praised the relentless efforts of healthcare workers, field staff, surveillance teams, and community volunteers, whose collective contributions have been instrumental in achieving these milestones. He reiterated the health department's unwavering commitment to making Arunachal Pradesh malaria-free by 2027, in line with national targets.
World Malaria Day Observance
As part of the observance, a malaria pledge and slogan session was conducted, during which participants reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts toward malaria prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. A short video presentation on malaria awareness and control measures was also screened, showcasing impactful field stories, best practices, and the importance of timely intervention in reducing the malaria burden.
