Bhubaneswar, June 21: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday held a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan to assess the diarrhoea situation across Odisha and the measures being taken to control its spread.
The Chief Minister was briefed that the situation is now under control, with the number of new infections steadily declining.
Six districts—Jajpur, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar—had reported higher cases earlier, but the number of infections in these regions has now significantly reduced. Normalcy is gradually returning to the affected areas.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister commended the coordinated efforts of various government departments, which have helped bring the situation under control. However, he emphasized the need for continued vigilance to prevent further outbreaks.
He directed that all levels of the healthcare system—from primary health centres to medical colleges—remain active and fully prepared to provide effective treatment.
The Chief Minister also advised officials to implement proactive measures in areas where there is potential risk, even if no current cases exist.
He instructed that preventive and preparedness measures continue across all affected and potentially vulnerable areas.
Special attention is being given to water purification, public awareness, and medical services. The Chief Minister directed that all educational institutions must ensure access to clean drinking water and strictly follow hygiene protocols to prevent infection among children.
He further stressed the need for stringent checks on street food vendors and the sanitation of such areas. Efforts must also be made to purify tubewells and test drinking water in all village and urban localities.
According to health department data shared during the meeting, a total of 3,892 people across the affected districts have fallen ill due to diarrhoea so far. Of these, 3,543 have recovered, while 254 are currently under medical treatment.
Awareness campaigns are being actively conducted under the Information-Education-Communication (IEC) programme. Additionally, the Mission Shakti department has mobilized members of women self-help groups (SHGs) to raise awareness at the community level. ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and SHG members are playing a crucial role in spreading preventive messages to households.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and senior officials from the Health Department, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Housing and Urban Development, Women and Child Development, and School & Mass Education departments.
