Delhi Health Minister directs strict implementation of vector borne diseases prevention measures
· DGHS 24X7 control room with helpline numbers fully functional
· Coordination with neighbouring states to immediately check spurt in any area
· Fever clinics to be in place well in time
· All hospitals to increase beds during the vector borne diseases season
New Delhi: 19/07/2018
Health Minister, Shri Satyendar Jain has reviewed the preparedness and status of action taken for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases – Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria and Seasonal Influenza – with senior officials of the Department and other stakeholder agencies.
Present status of vector borne diseases, comparative data, future action plan and roles and responsibilities of Local bodies, Sentinel surveillance hospitals, education department etc. were discussed in detail. A special emphasis was given on the across the border transmission of vector borne diseases.
The Health Minister emphasised that since the Monsoon has already arrived in Delhi, therefore vector control measures must be intensified by all local bodies and other stakeholders, and community awareness activities must be visible in the community.
The following points were discussed thoroughly and directions were given to the Department of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi Municipal Council, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, DDA, DMRC, District surveillance officers, CDMOs, Nursing home Cell, Cantonment Board and all neighbouring districts:
It was informed in the meeting that a control room at Directorate of health services (DGHS) Head quarter is functional 24×7 with helpline numbers (22307145, 22300012) to address the queries and grievances of General Public regarding Vector Borne Diseases and Seasonal Influenza etc., these helpline numbers should be circulated widely.
A good intersectoral cross border coordination with neighbouring States and Districts will be in place so that , if there is an increasing trend of vector borne diseases in any of the neighbouring State/district , timely control measures could be taken in other adjoining areas.(Sonipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mewat, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Budh Nagar).
Intensification of vector control measures by field staff of local bodies (Domestic Breeding Checkers).A mechanism will be developed for monitoring of field staff by senior level officers of Respective local body, department of health and family welfare should monitor by random calling to the different households whether Domestic Breeding checker visited their house and done the IEC activity.
Helpline numbers regarding details of DBCs and field workers along with their work schedule will be advertised in leading newspapers in vernacular languages. In case of no visit done by DBC, people may lodge their complain and inform about the status of visits by DBCs/field workers in their respective areas on given helpline number.
All construction sites will be visited by Field staff of local bodies on weekly basis to check and eliminate breeding sites and a board containing information regarding vector control measures must be displayed there.
More emphasis should be given on vector control activities and community awareness activities in identified high risk wards and underprivileged areas, unauthorized colonies, JJ clusters, construction sites etc.
A communication will be sent to Neighbouring State/Districts (Sonipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mewat, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Budh Nagar)regarding opening of fever clinics in their health care facilities and other measures to be taken for prevention and control of Vector borne diseases and better coordination.
A communication will be sent to NVBDC, GOI regarding supply of Mac ELISA kits for diagnosis of Dengue and Chikungunya.
A minimum of 10 community awareness trainings will be conducted in each assembly. Nodal officers of the hospitals and Dispensaries will be trainers for these community awareness trainings. 11 District Surveillance Officers will Coordinate and sensitize the Medical officer of the dispensaries of their respective districts regarding prevention and control of vector borne diseases, and further sensitize the community at peripheral level.
Medical and paramedical staff of school health scheme will be involved in conducting trainings at schools. A detailed proposal covering all Govt and Govt added schools will be submitted by school health scheme to Secretary Health.
Swacchh Bharat Abhiyaan should be linked with Vector Borne Disease awareness campaign. Community should be motivated for sparing one hour on every Sunday/ week for cleaning of their households and surroundings, during transmission season.
An order regarding increasing surge capacity of Pvt. Hospitals and Nursing Homes, upto 10-20% wef , 1st August to 31st October , will be issued . Tariff levied by the concerned Private Hospitals/Nursing Homes for such beds shall not be more than the lowest economic category therein.
During high transmission time, 500 Fever clinics will be established in different health care facilities, like all Hospitals and dispensaries to cater fever patients.
All CDMOs (Chief District Medical Officers) will be communicated regarding regular District Surveillance committee meetings under the chairmanship of District Commissioners, to review the status and preparedness of vector borne diseases at District level, involving all stakeholders.
Regular briefings will be held and sensitization of media will be done by all three MCDs and NDMC on various steps taken by them for prevention and control of vector borne diseases as media can play an important role in sensitizing community.
IEC (Information, Education and Communication) will be done specifically targeting on different breeding sites eg. waste on balcony, roof tops and roof sheds etc which are usually ignored during the routine breeding checking. Emphasis should be given on these sites during routine house to house breeding checking by DBC.
