In a decisive move to curb the recent diarrhoea outbreak across Odisha, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan today.
The meeting, attended virtually by district collectors of six affected districts—Jajpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Kendrapara—focused on assessing the situation and implementing robust measures to control the spread of the infection. Despite a decline in cases, the Minister emphasised the need for complete vigilance and directed authorities to remain proactive in their response.
The state government has deployed specialised teams of experts to Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak to monitor the situation closely. These teams, comprising state and central health officials, are reviewing water purification processes, patient treatment protocols, and data collection mechanisms. The Minister underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination, ensuring that safe drinking water, sanitation, and food safety measures are prioritised to prevent further outbreaks.
Key Measures to Combat Diarrhoea
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Water Purification and Testing: The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has completed the purification of most drinking water sources, including tube wells and open wells, with ongoing efforts in remaining areas. Contaminated sources are being sealed, and water samples are tested daily by Jalsathis and Mission Shakti members.
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Public Awareness Campaigns: The government is leveraging Information-Education-Communication (IEC) channels to educate the public. Key messages include boiling water before consumption, using halogen tablets, washing hands with soap, and consuming ORS solutions at the onset of symptoms. Mission Shakti’s women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will lead an eight-week awareness campaign, distributing IEC materials and organising village-level meetings.
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Healthcare Coordination: Hospitals, from grassroots-level facilities to medical colleges, are working in tandem to provide timely treatment. Special attention is being given to vulnerable groups, including children, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
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Food Safety Inspections: Food safety teams are conducting rigorous checks at hotels, roadside eateries, and dhabas to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.
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Preventive Measures for Festivals: With the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, WATCO officials have been stationed in Puri and nearby municipalities to strengthen cholera prevention efforts.
Specialised Teams in Action
Under the guidance of Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary Aswathy S., three joint state-central expert teams have been dispatched to Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak. These teams, led by experts such as Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Dr. N. Somalakar, and Dr. B. Dwivedi, are assessing water purification, hospital protocols, and grassroots-level response. They are collaborating with district core committees to plan further actions and provide real-time updates to the Minister.
Community and Institutional Response
To safeguard educational institutions, summer vacations in Bhadrak and Jajpur have been extended until June 23 and 24, respectively. Anganwadi centres, schools, and colleges are undergoing water tank cleaning and source purification. Mission Shakti SHGs, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff are actively monitoring water purification processes in rural areas.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has engaged Jalsathis to promote safe drinking water practices, while WATCO’s Managing Director has established a camp office in Byasanagar Municipality to oversee cholera control. In Puri, WATCO’s Director (Operations) is stationed to ensure preventive measures ahead of the Rath Yatra.
Government’s Commitment
Dr. Mahaling reaffirmed the government’s commitment to public health, stating, “The number of diarrhoea cases is decreasing rapidly, but we remain fully vigilant. The government is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen.” He emphasised the priority given to food and water safety, with all departments operating on a war footing to eliminate the outbreak.
The Minister also directed officials to provide special care to vulnerable populations and ensure that all government regulations are strictly enforced.
With coordinated efforts across departments, Odisha is poised to overcome the diarrhoea outbreak and safeguard public health.
