Health Ministry calls meet over malaria outbreak
The Union Health Ministry has convened a meeting with the health directors of all the northeastern states at Guwahati on April 9 to discuss the outbreak of malaria in East Garo Hills district even before the onset of monsoon. At least 31 people have died of the disease in the past two weeks. A health officer confirmed that the meeting has been called to assess the situation in Garo Hills. The Union Health Ministry has identified malaria as endemic to the northeastern states. At least 16 per cent of malaria-related deaths in the country have been recorded from the region.