Bhubaneswar : In another step towards quality public health, Health and Family welfare department has been warmed up for containing vector and water borne diseases during this monsoon with departmental Secretary Ms Aswathy S. taking a high-level review in secretariate conference hall today. Looking into the preparedness made so far, She directed to intensify wide awareness activities at grassroot level and ensure sufficient stock of required drugs at different levels ranging from ASHA worker to Sub-centre, primary health centre, community health centre, sub-divisional and district quarter hospitals. Ms Aswathy also directed to mobilise the community and orient them towards preventive practices involving women self-help groups (WSHGs), community leaders, and multi-purpose health workers (MPWH).
Further, She emphasized on ensuring the actual use of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) by the people at household level. Chief District Medical and public Health Officers were asked to ensure this with help of ASHA workers, MPHWs at village and ward level.
It was decided that senior officers from Directorate of Public Health and National Health Mission would go to grassroot level,and ensure hundred percent distribution and use of LLINs, availability of testing devices, sufficient stock of drugs, active surveillance, screening and testing etc. Special Secretary and Director Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra, present in the meeting was advised to draw a detail schedule of the movement of officers to districts, particularly to those districts where comparatively more number of cases were detected during last years.
It was also decided to issue advisories for proper cleaning of overhead water tanks and sanitization of water sources in residential complexes/hostels before reopening of educational institutions. The issues relating to regular water quality testing, disinfection and monitoring in rural and urban areas were discussed and resolved in the meeting. The activities would be carried on targeted campaign mode under the oversight of Mission Director Dr Brundha, More than 40.49 lakh LLINs were allotted to seven districts which reported more incidences of malaria during last years for covering the vulnerable population. Secretary Ms Aswathy directed to especially intensify preventive and surveillance activities in high burden districts.
CDMPHOs of all districts, Addl. Dist Public Health Officers, senior officers from different directorates, National Health Mission along with experts and consultants of Vector borne diseases participated in the deliberations of the meeting held on hybrid mode.
