The Delhi government will issue an order to all the private hospitals and nursing homes to increase beds to cater to patients suffering from vector-borne diseases, in view of the monsoon season. In addition, 500 fever clinics would be established in different healthcare facilities across the national Capital to deal with the cases of vector-borne diseases.
A meeting was held on Wednesday to review the preparedness and status of the actions taken for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya and seasonal influenza. A special emphasis was on the across the border transmission of vector-borne diseases.
"A good intersectoral cross-border coordination would be in place so that, if, there was an increasing trend of vector-borne diseases in any of the neighbouring states and districts, timely control measures could be taken in other adjoining areas like Sonipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mewat, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Budh Nagar," the statement said.
A separate control room at the headquarters of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had been made functional 24x7 with helpline numbers (22307145, 22300012) to address the queries and grievances of public regarding vector-borne diseases and seasonal influenza, among others.
Health Minister Satyendar Jain also directed for strict implementation of prevention measures for vector-borne diseases and called for vector control and community awareness activities in identified high-risk wards, underprivileged areas and unauthorised colonies among others.
"A mechanism will be developed for monitoring of field staff by senior level officers of respective local body and the Health Department should monitor by randomly calling different households whether domestic breeding checker (DBC) visited their house," the statement said.
As per the directions, all construction sites would be visited by field staff of local bodies on a weekly basis to check and eliminate breeding sites and a board containing information regarding vector control measures must be displayed there. A minimum of 10 community awareness training would be conducted in each assembly and nodal officers of hospitals and dispensaries would be the trainers.
Eleven district surveillance officers would coordinate and sensitise the medical officer of the dispensaries of their respective districts regarding prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, and further sensitise the community at the peripheral level.
"Swacchh Bharat Abhiyan should be linked with vector-borne disease awareness campaign. Community should be motivated to spare one hour every Sunday for cleaning of their households and surroundings during the transmission season," Jain said.
THE ORDER
- Construction sites would be visited by local bodies every week to check breeding sites.
- A board containing information regarding vector control measures must be displayed at construction sites.
- At least 10 community awareness sessions would be conducted
