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New Delhi : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on July 4, 2019, held here a high level meeting to review the preparedness for prevention and control of vector borne diseases (malaria,dengue, and chikungunya) in Delhi.
Dr Harsh Vardhan was briefed on the current situation of malaria and dengue in Delhi and the action required from the State government, Municipal Corporations, state hospitals, school education department, Department of Health Research (DHR), Railways and the Cantonment Board etc. Stressing on the importance of widespread awareness on prevention and control of the vector borne diseases, the Union Health Minister urged all stakeholders to undertake awareness drives through active community participation and cooperation of all stakeholders.
He further stated that schoolchildren can play a very important role in creating awareness. They could become ‘Swasthya Ambassadors’ and appointed as champions for creating awareness and checking mosquito breeding sites at their schools and neighbourhood. He urged the state government and the Mayors to work towards making hospitals, schools and government buildings ‘Vector-Free’.
Dr. Vardhan suggested that Malaria should be made a notifiable disease. Satyendra Jain, Health Minister, Government of Delhi, assured that the same would be done immediately. It was also suggested that all hospitals, including the private ones, should appoint a nodal person for vector borne diseases to ensure that the Government and private interventions and efforts to prevent/ cure vector borne diseases, are in tandem.
Dr Vardhan said that to create awareness and visibility, it will be appropriate that a 2-day mass awareness drive be undertaken with the elected representatives, MPS, MLAs, Corporators, senior officials of MoHFW, state government, Municipal Corporation, NGOs, and other eminent people visiting different part of Delhi. “When all stakeholders will come out on a single day, it will send a very strong message and nudge the public and check for breeding sites at their work space and neighbourhood,” Dr Vardhan stated.
As regards preparation to manage the cases, the representatives from the Central government hospitals informed that there was no shortage of beds, drugs, testing facilities etc., to treat the incoming patients; the Union Health Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their preparations. Also, protocol for training of doctors and paramedics has been shared with the Delhi government. However, it was highlighted that people need to be informed that they should focus on the symptomatic treatment and consume lots of liquids and take rest and not rush for getting admitted in hospitals, unless required.
Dr Vardhan stated that the focus should be on active case finding of cases and reduction of vectors. He said adequate attention should be given to building sturdy surveillance systems. Effective surveillance and monitoring was key to success in combating these diseases, he emphasised. He also stressed on strengthening the data collection mechanisms to ensure that high quality data is captured.