Initiative to preventdisease outbreaks

Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has directed health workers and hospital authorities to ensure that infectious diseases are managed well so that the mortality is kept at a minimum.

Ms. Shylaja, along with Local Self-Governments Minister K.T. Jaleel, was holding a videoconferencing with district-level officials regarding Arogyajagratha, the Health Department’s initiative to prevent infectious-disease outbreaks.

At the conference, the statistics regarding the incidence of various infectious diseases this year till April in all districts were reviewed and it was found that the activities carried out at the grassroots under Arogyajagratha had been effective. When compared to last year, the incidence of infectious diseases in most districts seemed to have reduced considerably this year. However, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kasaragod, and Kannur districts needed to be more vigilant against vector-borne diseases, while Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Kottayam districts needed to guard themselves against water-borne diseases, the Minister pointed out.

Kozhikode and Kannur districts needed more work to bring down the incidence of indigenous malaria, she said. At the ward-level, Arogyasena or a team of health volunteers needed to be formed for every 25-50 houses so that each team could focus on preventive measures in and around these houses and carry out more intensive work.

Dr. Jaleel suggested that a meeting of the heads of local bodies be convened urgently. He also directed the District Collectors to hold a review meeting with the district officials of Health and related departments and the secretaries of local bodies. He also suggested that awareness messages on Arogyajagratha be given out to the public.