Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday reviewed presentation on seasonal diseases and tribal health at the camp office in Vijayawada.
Measures and schemes for the treatment and prevention of malaria, dengue, swine flu and vector borne diseases were also discussed. This year, the state has recorded 14,679 cases of malaria, which is much lesser than the numbers from last year in most districts, especially Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and West Godavari.
There have been 2,642 cases of dengue recorded this year, which is drastically lesser than most of the southern states (Kerala - 16,530, Tamil Nadu - 6,919). The district-wise study shows that the incidences have increased in six districts including Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore and Chittoor. It has reduced in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Krishna considerably.
The usual trend has been that incidences of malaria reach its peak in the month of July, and dengue reaches its peak during August-September. The Chief Minister said that this information must be used, and the Knowledge Command Centres must engage more with historical data.
Vector borne diseases have also reduced in the state, officials reported.
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Diarrhoea and typhoid are still prevalent, and clean supply of drinking water must be ensured to all rural areas to prevent it.
Officials reported that awareness of seasonal diseases is being spread through Chandranna Sanchara Chikitsa vehicles. Habits to improve personal hygiene, safe waste disposal, open defecation and clean food and water intake, are taught to educate the public about health and sanitation.
The Chief Minister said that the four departments, Health & Family Welfare, Tribal Welfare, MA and UD and Panchayati Raj, must work together efficiently. Drinking water, sanitation, anti-mosquito and anti-larval focal sprays are some of the initiatives that are being coordinated by different departments.
"This is a new experiment in India, and real-time governance will help us understand the way forward in implementation. All data must be integrated, so that patient-wise information is accessible. I want to know the service standards, and not just number of services, so that we understand satisfaction levels of the public", he said.
Officials also reported that the MR vaccination campaign was a success this year, as the state achieved 92.58 percent of the target.
Under the NTR Vaidya Pariksha, 40, 93,463 patients have availed the services so far. The Thalli Bidda Express service has ensured that 2, 45,798 women have been dropped to their homes, post-delivery. 1, 62,241 NTR Baby Kits have been distributed in public health facilities, and they provide necessary equipment useful to new born babies and the mothers.
18 centres are functioning under PPP mode, for the National Free Dialysis services. Since dialysis is an expensive and a continuous process, the government has partnered with private healthcare firms to provide HR, dialysis machines along with RO water plant infrastructure, dialyzer and consumables. 14 more centres will be established by the next year.
Other initiatives that were discussed were Scientific Sanitation Policy, Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres to fight malnutrition and Pest Rodent Control.
The Chief Minister ended the meeting reiterating that he wants to look at more information, and analyse how to improve public health.
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