The Health Department of Jharkhand Government claims to have geared up to combat malaria and other water borne diseases this monsoon. The State is highly endemic for malaria and Filaria. In the last three years, cases of Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and Chikungunya have been reported from different parts of the State, according to Department of health, medical education & family welfare report 2012-13.
In 2013 till May 1017 cases of Malaria have been reported in Ranchi says Report of District Malaria Office. There is an increase in the number of malaria cases in Ranchi hospitals. “Rainy season has doubled the number of malarial and other diseases related cases. Increase in number of these diseases patients has been reported in the hospital,” said A K Jha, Deputy Superintended, Sadar Hospital.
“State has given crucial directives like availability of anti-malarial kit, Oral Rehydration solution ,sodium chloride saline solution and medication of other water borne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, Kala-azar, filarial, dengue, chicken gunia and Japanese encephalitis to battle with Malaria and other water borne diseases which gets increased in rainy season , ”said Praveen Chandra, Department of health, Government of Jharkhand.
He further added, “The work of cleanliness of water resources through bleaching powder is also carrying out to provide safe drinking water to people to lower the risk of outbreak of water borne diseases especially in rural areas ,” .In Jharkhand entire population does not have access to safe drinking water & sanitation. Rural sanitation coverage is very low. About 30% of habitations have partial facility with drinking water. All habitations do not have safe drinking water as source contains Fluoride, Arsenic & Iron according to the official website to Government report 2012-13 and source is official website of Government of Jharkhand ,department of Health, Medical education & Family welfare. Reorganization of Ranchi Urban Water Supply scheme was completed and commissioned and Total Sanitation Campaign were launched in serving the rural population with water and sanitation related services all across the State according to Department of health, Government of Jharkhand.
Government of Jharkhand has provision to supply Medicines, insecticides and long lasting Insecticidal Net (llIN) in areas which are vulnerable to malaria and other water borne diseases. “Provisions under National vector borne disease control programme is extended in Jharkhand for six major water borne diseases including Malaria. Awareness programme in school and colleges for educate children with prevention methods of these diseases, Night Blood survey for filaria , supply of dengue kits and medication to all Primary health care centres and sub-centres , indoor residual spray and long lasting Insecticidal Net (llIN) are few major steps our department has taken.,” said Dr Jang Bahadur, District Malaria Officer.
He added to the information, “Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Sardar Hospital ,Ranchi are well equipped with kits like rapid diagnosis kit for malaria and medication for treatment of diseases caused by water .contamination.”
“DMO has prepared for combating diseases outbreak and given instructions to officials to remain in field and report cases of such diseases,” he acknowledged.