The ‘Malaria No More India’ on Saturday launched a Malaria Action Coalition (MAC) under the under the leadership of Government of Odisha with a vision to make the State malaria-free.
The MAC will act as a multi-sectoral coordination platform led by the State Government 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 Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das, who stressed on the Government’s commitment to curb malaria in the State. He said, “The Malaria Action Coalition will bring thought leadership, along with the State Government, to make the fight against malaria more robust.”
Dr Gaikwad of Malaria No More India stated, “To make Odisha malaria-free, we realised 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 launching ceremony 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.
