India on Thursday reviewed its preparedness to tackle the Ebola virus disease (EVD) — whose outbreak has resulted in global panic and decided to enforce a slew of measures with the focus on putting a mechanism in place for screening of suspect passengers from abroad.
Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth chaired a meeting with Union Health Ministry officials and State health secretaries in this regard. “He has directed for creation of a portal for systematic, easy and effective information sharing between the different Ministries on the passengers travelling to India from the different affected countries which will enable more effective surveillance and tracking of the suspected cases,” said an official from Health Ministry.
The Ministry will train the immigration officers at the identified airports on how to deal with the passengers travelling from the affected countries. It was also decided in the meeting to sensitise the cabin crew of different airlines towards the nature of the EVD to enable them to understand the issue and deal more effectively with the passengers. The Health Ministry will create awareness through advertisements, he said.
The central teams will also inspect the adequacy of the State Governments hospitals and isolation ward for Ebola treatment to tackle the disease in case of emergency. Chief Secretaries of all the State Governments have been requested to track and monitor passengers from the affected countries. They have also been requested to strengthen the existing isolation facilities. Personal Protective Equipment gear are being provided to them and thermal scanners are being deployed at different airports in the country, he said.
Till Thursday this year, 22,150 passengers have been screened of which seven were identified to be at medium risk and 56 at high risk.