TN will eliminate malaria in four years, health minister says

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will eliminate malaria in four years, at least eight years ahead of the national target, health minister C Vijaya Baskar said on Tuesday.
At a workshop organised here by the health department for elimination of malaria, Vijaya Baskar said there had not been any malaria deaths in the state for the last seven years.
“At least 22 of the 32 districts in the state are now in elimination phase.By 2022, we will be able to eliminate the mosquito-borne disease completely from the state,” he said after releasing a training handbook for elimination of the disease.
The minister handed over certificates and shields to entomologists and gave 4gm gold coins to two “safe” drivers of the health department.
Senior health department officials said the public health department was working with municipalities and corporation for better sanitation and vector control. “We are also networking with neighbouring states to ensure that our border areas are covered,” he said.