New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a high-level meeting to review the dengue situation across the country and the preparedness of the public health system for prevention, containment and management of dengue given the onset of monsoon and the rise in dengue cases globally.
The Union Health Minister was briefed on the nationwide dengue situation and preparedness of the Ministry. It was informed that the Dengue Case Fatality Rate has reduced from 3.3 % (1996) to 0.1 % in 2024 as a result of focused, timely and collaborative activities. Underlining the challenge posed by the onset of monsoon and the threat of increasing the number of dengue cases during the rainy season, Shri Nadda emphasized the importance of being prepared against dengue. He directed the officials to gear up and strengthen prevention, containment and management measures against dengue.
Nadda urged officials to primarily focus on high-burden states and regions where outbreaks are frequently reported. He urged officials to proactively work with States to bring tangible results on dengue prevention. He particularly stressed inter-ministerial convergence meetings involving the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), the Education Ministry and Municipal Corporations and local self-govt. for sensitization on their roles and responsibilities for dengue prevention and control.
He stated that the Centre has been proactively communicating with the states on timely action for the prevention and control of dengue activities. Various inter-sectoral meetings have been conducted to sensitize the stakeholders and ministries on their roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of dengue. He informed me that these activities will be further strengthened in the coming years. “Union government has been over the period providing technical and budgetary support as a result of which the”.
Highlighting the importance of communication and awareness enhancement activities, the Health Minister stated that to sensitise communities regarding the ades mosquito which generally bites in the daytime, an awareness campaign among school-going children and others to wear clothes that keep the body fully covered, and keep various water containers, pots etc., free of stagnant water will be taken up at a massive scale. A nationwide IEC campaign for awareness through TV, radio, social media etc., platforms will be taken up across the country.
The Union Health Minister directed for the officials to create a 24/7 central helpline number for dengue prevention and awareness, and support for queries on the symptoms, treatment protocols and help during emergencies. States were also advised to operationalize similar Helpline numbers.
Shri Nadda has directed AIIMS and all central Govt hospitals to have dedicated dengue wards that are fully equipped with trained manpower, drugs and other logistics. They have also been instructed to create a referral system to optimally utilize their clinical facilities.
Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) highlighted the need for sensitizing municipal bodies in states for preventing dengue outbreaks. He also suggested on improving coolers and tanks in buildings to make them immune from mosquito breeding.
The following measures have been taken for the prevention, control and management of dengue across the country:
- The Government of India issued 14 advisories in 2024 for sensitization of States on preparedness for the prevention and control of Dengue and Chikungunya. Various high-level meetings have been held to provide technical guidance to States from time to time.
- For free diagnosis and disease surveillance, Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals increased from 110 in 2007 to 848 in 2024.
- National Dengue Day is observed on 16th May across the Country to initiate pre-monsoon preventive activities.
- Updated National guidelines for case management were released by the Union Health Minister on 10th August 2023.
- Master trainers from medical colleges and district hospitals were trained in four National level trainings on updated guidelines for improving clinical management and averting deaths due to Dengue.
- Central teams are also deputed to States regularly for review of disease situation, and actions taken by States and to provide technical guidance for containment of disease. Adequate diagnostic kits both for Dengue and Chikungunya have also been provided to the states.
Comments are closed.