Aiming to prevent water-borne and vector-borne diseases during and after the monsoons, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to launch ‘Dastak’ campaign from July 1. The campaign is a part of a comprehensive Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategy embraced by the Yogi government.
Emphasising on prevention before treatment, Yogi told the Health department officials to coordinate with other departments and make necessary arrangements to prevent the spread of Encephalitis, Malaria, Chikungunya, and other diseases.
State-level training of health workers has been started and health care facilities have been strengthened in every village. All Block Development Officers, District Panchayat Raj Officers, District School Inspectors, Chief Medical Officers and officers of all departments have been asked to extend their support to Dastak campaign.
The state government has formed about 73000 monitoring committees across UP which have been playing vital roles in the fight against seasonal fever, vector and water-borne diseases. More than 4 lakh members associated with these committees have been engaged in making people aware by visiting them at their homes.
In 3,011 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 855 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the state, adequate arrangements have been made for treatment of these diseases. A total of 592 urban PHCs have also been asked to remain alert to provide treatment round the clock to patients. Fever clinics have also been set up at CHCs and PHCs to make sure patients could be treated on an immediate basis.
Besides, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, ANMs and village heads have been entrusted with the responsibility to apprising rural populace about various water-borne and vector-borne diseases. Stating that any kind of carelessness could spiral into a scary situation, the CM said, “Special efforts should be made to improve surveillance. Along with the Health department, Rural development and Child Development departments should also stay alert.”