Bhubaneswar: A high-level review meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhavan under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling to expedite the fight against diarrhoea in the state. The Minister directed officials to remain fully alert and work towards controlling the spread of the disease.
The meeting reviewed the status and preparedness of six districts – Jajpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Kendrapara – in combating diarrhoea. Dr. Mahaling emphasised the importance of purifying drinking water sources, coordination between hospitals, sanitation, food safety, and departmental coordination.
The Minister directed officials to create awareness about drinking boiled water, using halogen tablets, washing hands thoroughly, and seeking medical attention immediately if symptoms of diarrhoea occur. Special joint expert teams from the central and state governments have been deployed to Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak districts to review various aspects of diarrhoea control.
These teams are working on purifying drinking water sources, treating patients according to protocol, and collecting accurate data on patients. The teams are also providing necessary advice to field-level teams and doctors based on the situation.
The government has taken several measures to prevent diarrhoea, including awareness campaigns through women SHG members, treatment of drinking water sources, and testing of water sources. The Mission Shakti Department has directed women SHG members to conduct awareness campaigns for the next eight weeks.
The Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department has completed the treatment of drinking water sources in most divisions and is continuing in all other divisions. The Housing and Urban Development Department has deployed water workers to conduct information-education-communication programs related to safe drinking water.
The Minister was informed about the situation at the grassroots level, and the meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary Ashwathy S. and District Magistrates from the affected districts. The government is fully prepared for the upcoming monsoon season and is working towards preventing diarrhoea outbreaks.
