NEW DELHI: The Centre today asked the states to start “aggressive” campaigns to increase awareness on prevention and control of vector-borne disease like dengue and chikungunya.
With a number of dengue and chikungunya cases reported from across the country and Delhi, the Union Health Ministry also directed the officials to conduct regular supervisory visits to various hospitals in the national capital to assess the situation.
Officials said that the central government hospitals were adequately equipped to combat dengue and chikungunya during this season.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda today chaired a high- level meeting to review the preparedness of the Ministry and the central government hospitals for prevention and control of dengue and chikungunya.
“The Health Minister asked the states for mounting aggressive Information Education Communication (IEC) campaigns to enhance awareness on prevention and control of vectors in their surrounding areas and neighbourhoods,” an official statement said.
At least 79 cases of chikungunya have been reported in the national capital this year while 24 dengue cases in the last three months.
“The Health Minister also directed the officers to conduct regular supervisory visits to various hospitals in Delhi for assessing the situation, preparedness and to provide on-the-spot technical guidance to the health authorities.
“The Minister also asked Secretary (Health) to review the preparedness of the States through a video conference,” the statement said.
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), in 2016, 58,136 cases of Chikungunya was reported in the country while 1,11,880 cases of dengue leading to the death of 227 people had taken place in the same year across India.
During today’s meeting, Nadda was informed that advisories have already been sent to all states as early as January for strengthening their preparedness before the dengue season.
The officials informed the Minister that teams of experts from the Ministry have visited many states to review their preparedness and advised them suitably.
“The Central Government hospitals informed that they were adequately equipped to combat dengue and chikungunya during this season,” the statement said. (AGENCIES)
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