3,757 medical relief camps set up in Kerala : GOI

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Health & Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda on August 19, 2018, said that the Health Ministry has been extend all suppot to the Kerala Government in the flood relief measures.

“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Health Ministry is extending all support for the flood relief measures in Kerala. We are monitoring the flood situation in Kerala on a regular basis. Secretary (Health) is in regular communication with the State health functionaries and monitoring the situation daily through the disease surveillance network,” Nadda said. He stated that he has spoken to K K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala, and is personally monitoring the situation.

To meet with this situation, 3,757 medical relief camps have been set up. As requested by the State Government, 90 types of medicine in the requested quantity are being sent to the State. The first tranche of medicine will reach Kearala on August 20, 2018. The Health Ministry is also coordinating with other States which have committed to providing medicine to augment supplies.

Health advisories on infectious disease prevention and control, safe drinking water, hygiene measures, and vector control, have been prepared and shared with the State Government. While no outbreak of communicable disease has been reported, health experts opine that once the flood water starts receding, the environment would be conducive for epidemic prone diseases. The State has been given instructions to switch to daily surveillance and monitoring for epidemic prone diseases for detecting early warning signs of an outbreak, according to a PIB release.

In consultation with the State Government, the Government of India (GOI) will deploy teams for rapid health assessment and for taking appropriate public health measures to prevent and control outbreak of epidemic prone diseases. Considering the additional burden of disease in the aftermath of the floods, quick response medical teams will also be sent to Kerala to provide emergency medical care. Support under National Health Mission will be provided to make the damaged primary health care infrastructure functional.