Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on June 13, 2019, held discussion with Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on containment and management of AES/JE cases in Bihar at Nirman Bhawan here. They discussed the reported rise in cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) from Muzaffarpur and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) from Gaya in Bihar. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MOS (HFW), and Preeti Sudan, Health Secretary, were also present during the meeting.
Dr Harsh Vardhan suggested that there is an urgent need for mounting extensive awareness campaigns especially in the high case districts so that the parents, care givers, and the community, in general, are sensitised to the need for taking the children for timely treatment to the nearby PHC before the child gets critical.
“Timely identification of the symptoms of hypoglycemia shall hugely contribute to timely and effective treatment. The children should be brought to the PHC as soon as these symptomsare noticed,” Dr Harsh Vardhan advised. He also suggested that as the cases are from some defined areas in the high load districts, the State should also involve other stakeholders like IMA, NGOs, etc., for widespread awareness and education campaigns. He suggested to actively involve the district administration and to make every Deputy Collector in charge of one tehsil each to actively monitor and ensure that no child reaches a critical condition, and that they are taken to the nearest PHC. He stressed upon the importance of sturdy mechanisms for monitoring and surveillance.
The Union Health Minister stated that he and senior officers of the Ministry are regularly reviewing the situation and assured all support and assistance to the Bihar Health Minister in further strengthening the surveillance mechanisms. The multi-disciplinary team from the Centre is stationed there and has been supporting the state government in management of these cases. He also suggested that the number of paediatricians at Sri Krishna Medical College & Hospital ( SKMCH), Muzaffarpur, be augmented for effective treatment of these cases.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also stated that food distribution to all children through the ICDS Aaganwadi centres and hot meals distribution through NGOs, etc., shall help in boosting the nutrition levels of children in these districts, according to a PIB release.