Flood-prone areas to get healthcare facilities: Bihar minister Mangal Pandey

PATNA: Health minister Mangal Pandey on Thursday said alternative healthcare facilities would be made available in flood-prone areas across the state to ensure prompt medical services to newborns, expecting women, physically challenged and others in need.
“Taking into account the past experience, safe and accessible places for alternative facilities have already been identified and work begun for their development,” the minister said.
He added health workers are also on the move in the flood-prone villages for getting details of the persons who might need special care to update the list available with the health department.
Pandey said the health department has prepared lists of pregnant women, physically challenged and severely ill people in the flood-prone areas who might need immediate help. “The alternative health facilities will have arrangements for institutional delivery under the guidance of doctors and also post-delivery care,” he added. For the purpose, exercise has begun for stocking all necessary medicines at the nearest additional and primary health centres.
“Temporary maternity care centres with doctors and paramedics are also being created in the relief camps to help flood-affected people. Dedicated boats and mobile medical units will coordinate with personnel of disaster management department, NDRF and SDRF,” Pandey said. The government will also provide sufficient quantity of bleaching powder and other disinfectants for use after floodwaters recede to prevent outbreak of epidemics, he said.