With the predicted rise in vector borne diseases like dengue and malaria during the monsoon season, the Centre today asked states to develop micro-plans for endemic districts and underlined the need for undertaking house-to-house surveillance for its prevention.
The Union Health Ministry also asked states to review and strengthen coordination between municipal bodies and other departments to keep public and private buildings vector free.
With the predicted rise in dengue, malaria, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Union Health Minister J P Nadda today reviewed the status of such diseases and preparation of states through video conferencing.
"Stressing on the importance of inter-sectoral coordination and convergence of efforts in not only the prevention but also management of vector borne diseases, Nadda advised them (states) to review and strengthen inter-sectoral coordination...
"...With municipal corporations and departments of sanitation, drinking water and urban development for more focused efforts such as keeping premises of all public and private buildings free of vector-breeding," an official statement quoting him said.
Nadda interacted with Health ministers and senior officials of Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, MP, Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh.
"Municipal Corporations need to undertake house-to-house surveillance for more effective prevention and breeding control," Nadda said during the meeting.
At least 39 cases of dengue have been reported in the national capital this year with 11 of these recorded in the month of July, according to a municipal report released yesterday.
Amidst concerns that hospitals, including the premiere institute AIIMS in the national capital, are "breeding ground" for dengue mosquitoes, Nadda had recently also directed heads of all hospitals in Delhi to ensure that their premises are "mosquito-free".
Nadda also assured the states of all necessary support to
enhance their capacity to manage these diseases as he emphasised that effective surveillance and monitoring was key to success in combating these diseases.
"The Minister also underscored need to develop special strategy and effective micro-plans for endemic districts," the statement said.
Nadda who also reviewed the availability of diagnostic kits, drugs, testing labs, manpower and funds also asked states to ensure price capping on dengue testing by private health facilities.
Most states during the meeting said that they had adequate stored capacity of necessary drugs and testing kits.
The statement said that states during the meeting reported that they have carried out rounds of fogging and DDT spraying and will also undertake other measures to prevent vector breeding.
Nadda advised states to involve Resident Welfare Associations to sensitise them to keep the localities free of mosquitoes.
With the predicted rise in number of such cases, the Health Minister also asked states to fill the vacant posts of entomologists at the state, zone and district level.
"Awareness being the key to prevention of many diseases, Nadda stressed on the importance of conducting focused and intensive IEC campaigns and sustaining them through the monsoon season," the statement quoting him said.
