Control spread of diseases or face action: Nitin Patel to officials

AHMEDABAD: With both vector-borne and water-borne diseases rearing its head after recent spell of rainfall in Gujarat, deputy CM Nitin Patel convened a meeting in Gandhinagar on Tuesday with senior officials of health department and district-level medical officers to assess the situation.

Patel said that though cases of malaria and dengue are less compared to 2018, the state and district authorities have been directed to undertake cleanliness drive and controlling spread of vector-borne diseases.“Officials who are found lethargic in performing duties will face strong action whereas those showing effectiveness will be felicitated,” said the deputy CM who also holds charge of health and family welfare department in the state government.
Doctors present in the meeting were told to keep a close watch on the areas reporting high prevalence of diseases and take immediate action. The groups were also asked to reach out to schools, colleges and residential societies to integrate citizens in fight against diseases and remain vigilant. “The doctors are asked to recommend further tests if the patient shows symptoms of any vector-borne disease,” said a participant.
The state government also intends to release guppy and gambusia fish in water reservoirs and lakes that have received new waters to check the spread of mosquito population.
Dr Kamlesh Upadhyay, head, department of medicine at BJ Medical College, said that the general practitioners will be sensitized through institutions such as Indian Medical Association (IMA). “Vector-borne diseases has recorded rise after recent spell of rain. Monitoring at district levels is done for all vector-borne and water-borne diseases. We are also analyzing the patterns as the spread is not even across the state,” he said.
The city is recording high number of vector-borne diseases, mentioned medical practitioners. Dr Kamlesh Naik, secretary of Ahmedabad Family Physicians’ Association (AFPA), said that dengue cases have increased in the recent past. “Viral fever and symptoms such as cough and sore throat have also reported spike. Cases of malaria are comparatively lower,” he said.