Karnataka looks to control seasonal diseases as rain wreaks havoc

To ensure that these diseases are monitored and under check, the department is taking all measures, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar has said.

Daily monitoring

Sudhakar chaired a meeting with senior officials last week and said he was personally monitoring the situation, seeking daily updates from district administrations.

After the meeting, the department instructed the district administrations to ensure preparedness to respond to the situation at the earliest and implement all instructions.

Medical officers at PHCs were instructed to increase and strengthen disease-specific surveillance.

The data has to be monitored at the micro level to detect an upsurge in VBDs, and to ensure that containment measures are in place to prevent it.

“The availability and timely utilization of commodities like diagnostic kits, drugs, insecticides, and larvicides, is directed to be ensured at all levels,” the department said.

The department has also created Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at the district and taluk levels, and asked them to be on high alert with all the necessary commodities, equipment, and vehicles to respond immediately to any emerging situation.

Micro-level plan

The department has also asked the authorities concerned to create a micro-level plan at the village and ward levels.

It has informed the officials to keep these plans ready and implement necessary control measures at short notice.

Under the plan, interdepartmental coordination has been insisted.

The district administration also has to ensure that health officials and other allied department officials and staff have to visit at-risk areas to ensure the ongoing surveillance activities and the availability of necessary logistics.