PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Dehradun Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma has recently issued directives to government hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and private hospitals regarding precautions against water-borne diseases. He said that in the water-borne infectious diseases people suffer from ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid and jaundice rise during periods like weather change. To prevent further spread, he has instructed the hospitals to take precautions and to raise awareness.
Sharma informed that he directed that all chief medical superintendents, medical superintendents and medical officers-in-charge must daily inspect the Outpatient Department (OPD) registers of their medical units and report daily on the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). They are also required to monitor cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, jaundice, cholera, hepatitis and related illnesses. In the event of an increase in cases, immediate action will be taken.
Additionally, he emphasised that ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) should monitor cases of diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid and jaundice in their respective areas, while also educating the public on prevention and control measures. He said that direction to the said establishments also includes coordinating with the water department to regularly inspect and chlorinate drinking water. If chlorine is unavailable, they must contact the appropriate department.
Sharma also instructed that while digging roads, special attention should be given to any breakage or leakage of water pipelines. If such issues are found, the concerned departments should be immediately notified.
Hospitals and centres are directed to maintain an adequate supply of intravenous glucose saline, oral rehydration solutions, anti-vomiting medications and diarrhoea medicines, ensuring these are distributed as needed. Furthermore, it is essential to have a sufficient quantity of chlorine and bleaching powder available at the centres and hospitals. Many other directions were also directed, he said.
The additional CMO Pradeep Rana, pointed out that during this time, human activities, climatic changes and other factors contribute to the increase in waterborne diseases. He recommended several preventive measures, such as avoiding stale food, drinking clean water and steering clear of open food items in the market.
