GUWAHATI : The Assam government is undertaking extensive measures to provide medical care in the flood-affected areas and prevent outbreak of diseases, Health Minister Ashok Singhal said on Tuesday.
He said equal emphasis was also being laid on providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
“Following the severe flood situation in the state, our department has undertaken extensive preventive measures to stop outbreak of infectious diseases and safeguard public health,” Singhal said at a press conference here.
“Along with continuing healthcare services in flood-affected areas, special emphasis has been placed on ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and cleanliness, disease surveillance, vector-borne disease control and overall health protection,” he said.
The minister said the health department has deployed medical teams and organised camps across the state.
So far, 2,06,442 people have received free treatment and medicines through 3,103 medical camps in the flood-affected areas.
In the worst-affected districts of Charaideo and Sivasagar, 11 ‘Mega Health Camps’ were organised from August 5-9, covering five assembly constituencies, he said.
Specialist doctors from Dibrugarh and Jorhat medical colleges have been deployed at these camps.
“Pregnant women, mothers and children staying in relief camps face greater health risks during floods. Keeping this in mind, the department has taken special measures to protect their health,” Singhal said.
A total of 387 pregnant women, 462 mothers, 590 children below one year of age and 1,627 kids aged between one and five years have been identified so far, officials said.
Regular health check-ups, nutritional support and necessary healthcare services are being ensured for them, Singhal said.
In view of the increased risk of diarrhoea and other diseases following the floods, adequate stocks of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and zinc tablets have been maintained across the state, he said.
The minister also said ensuring access to safe drinking water has emerged as one of the major challenges following the floods.
In coordination with the Public Health Engineering Department, 511 water samples were tested at IDSP laboratories to ensure safe drinking water, he said.
The affected water sources were disinfected with the required chemicals and subsequently retested. These sources were reopened for public use only after testing confirmed that the water was safe for consumption, he said.
Singhal said that in view of the possibility of increased mosquito breeding following the deluge, special measures have also been undertaken for vector-borne disease control.
Carcass of livestock are being disposed of in accordance with prescribed health and safety protocols to prevent contamination of water and the environment, and reduce the risk of the spread of infectious diseases, the minister said.
The health department is also giving special attention to the mental health of flood-affected people, Singhal said.
“As floodwaters recede, new health-related challenges may emerge. The department continues to maintain close surveillance of the situation,” he added. (Source: PTI)
