Secretary Health reviews preparedness for dengue control, containment in J&K

Srinagar, Jul 22: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Monday chaired a meeting to review the preparedness for dengue control and containment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Managing Director, JKMSCL, Principals Government Medical College Jammu/Doda/Kathua/Rajouri/Udhampur, Director Health Services, Jammu, Chief Medical Officers of all districts of Jammu Division, State Surveillance Officer, Jammu/ Kashmir, Medical Superintendents of Associated Hospitals of New GMCs/District Hospitals, State Nodal Officer, NHM, J&K and Divisional Nodal Officer, NHM, Kashmir while the outstation officers participated virtually.
On the occasion, a power point presentation (PPT) was made by Dr. D.J Raina, State Malariologist, J&K, Jammu, highlighting the strategies being adopted by the department for the control of dengue, epidemiological data, key Octalogue strategies for control of dengue besides facilities being provided to the people.
The Secretary emphasised collective efforts of all the stakeholders to tackle this looming threat through better disease management. He also enumerated various actions need to be taken immediately like launching of an aggressive IEC/BCC campaign for awareness of the community on local Radio /Television/ through JMC hoardings and garbage collection Vans. Besides, hiring of Domestic Breeding Checkers/ engaging regular staff for source reduction activities of vectors was also stressed upon. The Urban Local bodies were also directed to initiate source reduction and related activities for control of dengue.
It was informed that Blood Component facility is available in GMC Jammu, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, GMC Rajouri, GMC Kathua for the patients requiring platelet transfusion in case of severe disease. The District Hospitals were asked to earmark separate Dengue Ward to ensure effective management of the cases. It was also instructed that indiscriminate Fogging/Spray will not be carried out and it will be done only as per the protocols of Vector Borne Diseases.
All the Private Laboratories/Nursing Homes were asked to mandatorily upload the data of dengue cases on Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
The Secretary asked for stratifying identification of the high risk areas so that requisite strategies are worked out for integrated vector management (IVM). He also directed for ensuring availability of diagnostic kits/ drugs, insecticides and other logistics.
It was informed that 104 Health Helpline of National Health Mission, J&K will be utilised during the dengue breakout for effective surveillance and communication with the public.
All the districts were directed to conduct inter-sectorial meetings at the earliest for control and containment of dengue.