Bhubaneswar, July 3:With successful control over sporadic diarrhoeal outbreaks in some places of 5 districts; and gradual receding back of the recent flood water in affected areas of 5 blocks along Srbanrarekha, , Jalaka, and Budhabalanga rivers, the Odisha Government has come up with a special disinfection drive under the joint endeavour of Health and Family Welfare ( H& FW) and Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW) departments.
Detail actionplan about the joint drive was discussed in a high level meeting held under the Chairmanship of Secretary H & FW Aswathy S on Thursday in the Lokseba Conference hall wherein Director Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra presented the updates for discussion.
Mainly, current water and vector-borne disease situation across the affected areas, further strengthening of surveillance,containment and awareness activities with carrying forward of short-term and long-term preventive measures were discussed in the meeting.
Taking a district-wise progress of the activities, the Secretary directed to undertake a special intensive disinfection drive at the village and institution levels through concerted efforts of the ground level officials of both the departments. She also emphasized active involvement of PRI members, social activists and village communities.
The drive would be undertaken on 4th July and on 11 July 2025, as resolved in the meeting.
A joint guideline to this effect was issued to all filed officers of by both the departments. During the campaign, super chloritization of drinking water sources, proper cleaning and disinfection of the premises of health facilities, educational institutions, market places and public places would be undertaken.
Village and household level awareness campaigns would be under taken through ASHA, ANM and Health workers. They would show demos on use of halazone tablets, LLINs, Hand wash and other train locals regarding other personal and community hygienic practices.
Similarly, the Food safety officers were directed to intensify inspection of bottling plants, eateries and hotels with strict adherence to the food safety SOP; and take immediate corrective action including pecuniary punishments.
Chief District Medical officers, District Pubic Health Officers were asked to undertake comprehensive tours during these days, and ensure result-oriented activities at field levels. They were also asked to send presently operating 377 rapid response teams to affected areas for immediate action and monitoring.
Maintaining required stock of anti-venoms for snake bites in PHCs and CHS, placement of MBBS doctors for ensuring treatment of snake bites within easy reach of the people especially in flood affected areas, intensification of laboratory surveillance by enhancing collection and testing of samples, were emphasized in the meeting.
Adherence to standard protocol for daily, weekly and quarterly monitoring was brought to focus. Senior officers and Teams from State level would visit different affected areas for close monitoring and supervision of the field level activities.
Discussions in the meeting showed that with increasing level of awareness and preventive activities diarrhoeal situation was brought under complete control.People started coming to hospitals at an early mild stage for which they got cured, and death figure was arrested at 13.
As of last day, only 190 active diarrhoea cases from 5 districts were recorded to be under treatment. Similarly, strict vigilance is being kept on dengue and malaria situation, by the healthcare institutions.
