The central government has approved the union health ministry's Rs.417 crore project for Intensified Malaria Control Project-II (IMCP-II) for north eastern states except Sikkim.


At its meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the ministry's proposal for seven north eastern states, except sikkim, under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) with support from Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM - Round 9) at an estimated cost of US$ 87.88 million (Rs.417.22 crore).


The approval envisages continuance of erstwhile Global Fund Supported Intensified Malaria Control Project (IMCP-I) (2005-10) with revised geographical focus in high endemic seven North-Eastern states for accelerated control of Malaria. The main components of the proposal are : human resources development; procurement and distribution of commodities and drugs; Information, Education and Communication (IEC) / Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities; and planning, monitoring and evaluation.


The project will facilitate upscaling of detection of P. falciparum (Pf) cases through Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), treatment of Pf cases with Artemisinin Based Combination Therapy (ACT) and distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs). Further it includes the measures for improving upon behaviour change communication, vector and parasite surveillance, partnership development and capacity building. The aim of the project is to reduce malaria related mortality and morbidity in project states by at least 30 per cent by 2015 as compared to 2008 levels.


The project covers the period from 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2015.