JP Nadda Holds High Level Review Meeting On Dengue And Chikungunya

NCR Assures All Support Of Central Government

New Delhi (PIB-GR-TYP-BIN): Mr. J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired a high level meeting to review the status of Dengue and Chikungunya in Indian with a special focus on Delhi and NCR, on Sep 14, with senior officers of the Union Health Ministry, officials from National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Medical Superintendents of Central Government hospitals such as AIIMS, DR. RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Safdurjung, and officials from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Mr. C K Mishra, Secretary (HFW), Mr. K B Agarwal, AS (HFW) and senior officials were also present during the meeting.

Taking stock of the situation, Mr. Nadda was briefed on the recent upsurge in the cases of Dengue and Chikungunya in Delhi, NCR and other States. Government of India has requested all States/UTs to declare Dengue as notifiable disease for improving reporting and for taking preventive measures in the affected areas. The Health Ministry has also initiated several awareness programmes through print and electronic media and issue advertisements for controlling these diseases. Intensive IEC campaigns have been launched to enhance the level of awareness regarding the promotive and treatment protocols of Dengue and Chikungunya.

Assuring that there is no cause to panic, Mr. Nadda said that the Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Delhi Government on the recent death cases reported due to Chikungunya. The Health Minister further said that the Ministry is working very closely in coordination with the Delhi Government and the Union Health Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their efforts in addressing Dengue. Mr. Nadda said that he has spoken to the Delhi Health Minister Mr. Satyendar Jain and assured him all support. Mr. Jain has assured that all adequate measures shall be taken.

The Health Minister assured that there is no shortage of drugs and testing facilities to counter this recent upsurge. He further added that the doctors have been advised to strictly follow the protocols with Ministry also providing training to health workers to ensure timely implementation of various activities that need to be undertaken for vector control. The representatives from the Central government hospitals informed that there was no shortage of beds, drugs, testing facilities etc., to treat the incoming patients.

(Source: PIB/GR/TYP/BIN/USPA/WN/IAIJ)