Bhubaneswar : With successful control over sporadic diarrhoeal outbreaks in some places of 5 districts; and gradual receding back of the recent flood water in affected areas of 5 blocks along Subarnarekha, Jalaka, and Budha balanga rivers, Govt has come up with special disinfection drive under the joint endeavour of Health and Family Welfare ( H& FW) and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water ( PR&DW) departments. Detail action plan about this drive was discussed in a high level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Secretary H & FW Aswathy S. today in Lok seba Bhawan Conference hall wherein Director Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra presented the updates for discussion.
Mainly, current water and vector borne disease situation across the affected areas, further strengthening of surveillance/ containment/ awareness activities and carrying forward of short-term and long-term preventive measures were discussed in the meeting. Taking a district wise progress of the activities, Secretary directed to undertake a special intensive disinfection drive at the village and institution levels through concerted efforts of the ground level officials of both the departments. She also emphasized active involvement of PRI members, social activists and village communities.
The drive would be undertaken on both the days viz. 4 July ( Friday)and again after seven days on 11 July (Friday) of the current year. A joint guideline to this effect was issued to all filed officers of by both the departments. During the campaign, super chlorinization of drinking water sources, proper cleaning and disinfection of the premises of health facilities, educational institutions, market places and public places would be undertaken. Village and household level awareness campaigns would be under taken through ASHA, ANM, Health workers. They would show demos on use of halogen tablets, LLINs, Hand washing and other hygienic practices.
Food safety officers were directed to intensify inspection of bottling plants, eateries and hotels with strict adherence to the food safety SOP; and take immediate corrective action including pecuniary punishments.
Chief District Medical officers, District Pubic Health Officers were asked to undertake expensive tours during these days, and ensure result-oriented activities at field levels. They were also asked to send presently operating 377 rapid response teams to affected areas for immediate action and monitoring. Maintaining required stock of anti-venoms for snake bites in PHCs and CHS, placement of MBBS doctors for ensuring treatment of snake bites within easy reach of the people especially in flood affected areas, intensification of laboratory surveillance by enhancing collection and testing of samples were emphasized in the meeting.
Adherence to standard protocol for daily, weekly and quarterly monitoring was brought to focus. Senior officers and Teams from State level would visit different affected areas for close monitoring and supervision of the field level activities.
Discussions in the meeting showed that with increasing level of awareness and preventive activities diarrhoeal situation was brought under complete control. People started coming to hospitals at an early mild stage for which they got cured, and death figure was arrested at 13. As of last day, only 190 active cases from 5 districts were under treatment. Similarly, strict vigilance is being kept on dengue and malaria situation.
