Implementation of a slew of epidemic prevention measures coupled with public health awareness campaigns helped check the outbreak of vector-borne diseases in the Agency areas of the State during current rainy season, said Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy.
Mr. Reddy was addressing the officials of the Medical and Health Department and other allied government departments at a review meeting at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) headquarters in Bhadrachalam on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the Minister inaugurated a100-bed new block on the premises of the Government Area Hospital in the temple city.
With the addition of the new facility, the hospital’s bed strength has gone up to 200.
The Minister also formally declared open a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital.
The Minister said that 20 ICUs and 40 Dialysis Centres were being set up in the government hospitals all over the State to provide modern medical care to the needy.
The State Government has accorded top priority to upgrade the infrastructure facilities in all the government hospitals, strengthen the health care delivery system with a thrust on rural areas and tribal pockets, the minister added.
The incidence of vector-borne diseases has come down drastically in the Agency areas of Utnoor in Adilabad district, Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district and elsewhere in the State.
However, focus should be laid on the remote tribal pockets identified as high-risk areas for malaria to safeguard the health of tribal people in the peak rainy season ahead, he opined.
Minister for Roads and Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao, Bhadrachalam Member of Legislative A ssembly S. Rajaiah and others were present.
Later, the Health Minister visited Manuguru, where he inaugurated a 100-bed facility at the Government Area Hospital in the coal town.