- Kanker Collector held a meeting with the Health Department and directed them to operate on high alert mode. He said that if the situation recurs in the future, strict action will be taken against those concerned.
Kanker District Collector Mr. Nileshkumar Mahadev Kshirsagar held a meeting with the Health Department and reviewed the cases of malaria deaths in the district and gave necessary instructions to the officials of the Health and other related departments. He said that the department should take such cases very seriously and directed the health workers and other departmental staff at the ground level to conduct regular health checkups. He also directed to work in high alert mode in the villages where more cases of malaria are being reported, to keep a constant watch on the situation and to inform the higher office immediately.
In a meeting held in the meeting hall of the district office, the collector said that the students studying in all the ashram-hostels located in the district should be regularly examined and if symptoms of other vector-borne diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, jaundice etc. are found apart from malaria, health camps should be organised and samples of every student and teacher should be taken. Apart from this, all the necessary medicines should be available in the boxes of Asha workers (Mitanin). Apart from this, the ground workers should constantly inform the higher officials and should not give misleading opinions without confirmation from the higher office.
During the meeting, the Collector also stated that the state government is extremely concerned about malaria deaths, as evidenced by the meeting held by the Health Minister and Health Secretary and the necessary instructions issued. If future malaria deaths occur, the government will not hesitate to take strict action against those involved.
He again instructed the officials of health and other departments to work seriously and discharge their duties on top priority basis for the next two months for the prevention of malaria and to follow the orders of the higher office to the letter.
In the review meeting of National Vector Borne Diseases and Seasonal Illnesses, Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. R.C. Thakur informed that most of the malaria cases are seen in July-August and for this, Rapid Fever Survey (RFS) is being conducted in Ashram-Hostels by the departmental staff. He informed that during the survey, relatively more cases are being found in Antagarh, Bhanupratappur and Kanker development blocks of the district. He informed that out of a total of 19 thousand 844 samples, 672 positive cases have been found, which were treated promptly. For this, control rooms have been established at the district and development block level.
Additionally, 35,000 medicated mosquito nets have been distributed as part of a pilot project, and medication is being sprayed near waterlogged pits and drinking water sources around homes. The District Malaria Officer stated that, in addition to malaria, continuous testing is being conducted for dengue, JE, and filariasis, and the situation is being monitored by deploying health staff in vulnerable villages.
He appealed to the villagers that if any disease is detected, they should get their health checked at their nearest health centre.
