The Punjab Government on Monday issued directions to all district administrations to move with a coordinated approach to tackle the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the State.
“The departments of Health, Water Supply along with Municipal teams have been asked to fan out to vulnerable areas in the State and take every precaution while handling affected people,” said State Principal Secretary Health Vini Mahajan.
She said that the officials of the Department of Water Supply have been especially told to ensure safe drinking water to the habitats.
Mahajan said that besides keeping its staff on an alert, the health authorities were also asked to be regularly in touch with the officials of the Municipal Corporation (MC), Water Supply and Sewerage Board and some others departments concerned regarding the prevention of the outbreak of diseases and also to ensure hygiene in the residential areas, parks and other green belts in the areas under their control.
The health officials have also been asked to destroy the uncovered cut fruits and other food items not fit for human consumption being sold especially in and around thickly populated areas.
She has also asked the health officials in districts to ensure the supply of chlorine tablets in the affected areas. “Surveillance teams have also been asked to carry out door-to-door inspection and also educate people about health and hygiene,” she said
Mahajan has also directed all the civil surgeons to make special arrangements for the suspected gastro cases and ensure that they have been given treatment free of cost. She said that medical camps were being held in the affected areas.