In view of the onset of monsoon across the country, the Centre on Tuesday underscored the need to develop a special strategy and effective micro-plans for districts reporting higher cases of vector-borne diseases such as Dengue, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and AES.
In a video-conference with the States, Union Minister of Health JP Nadda reviewed the status of vector-borne diseases and their preparedness to tackle them.
“The Union Health Minister interacted with Health Ministers, Chief Secretaries and Principal Health Secretaries of 11 States - Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, MP, Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh,” said a senior official from the Ministry.
The advance review at the level of the Health Ministers and senior officials of the States was done in view of the predicted upsurge of vector-borne diseases at the onset of monsoon.
Stressing on the importance of inter-sectoral coordination and convergence of efforts in not only the prevention, but also management of vector-borne diseases, Nadda advised them to review and strengthen inter-sectorial coordination with Municipal Corporations and Departments of Sanitation, Drinking Water, Urban Development etc., for more focussed efforts within the States.
States reported that they have carried out rounds of fogging and DDT spraying and shall undertake other measures to prevent vector breeding. He also advised States to involve Resident Welfare Associations to sensitise them to keep the localities free of mosquitoes, the official added.