Union health minister J P Nadda says situation is being monitored
Union health ministry has set up 3757 medical relief camps in flood hit Kerala. The state government has requested for 90 different types of medicines. The first tranche of medicines will reach tomorrow.
“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the health ministry is extending all support for the flood relief measures in Kerala. We are monitoring the flood situation in Kerala on a regular basis. Secretary (Health) is in constant communication with the State health functionaries and monitoring the situation daily through the disease surveillance network,” Union health minister J P Nadda said on Sunday.
He added that he has spoken to K K Shailaja, health minister, Kerala and is personally monitoring the situation.
Floods and landslides in Kerala have so far killed 197 people and rendered countless others homeless. The rampage is still on even as health experts warn that the real deluge of water borne infections will start when the flood water recedes and life limps back to normalcy.
The Union health ministry is also coordinating with other States which have committed to providing medicines so as to augment supplies.
Floods and landslides in Kerala have so far killed 197 people and rendered countless others homeless
Health advisories on infectious disease prevention and control, safe drinking water, hygiene measures, vector control, etc., have been prepared and shared with the State Government.
While no outbreak of communicable disease has been reported, the ministry is trying to ensure the highest state of preparedness for disease outbreaks. The State has been given instructions to switch to daily surveillance and monitoring for epidemic prone diseases for detecting early warning signs of an outbreak.
In consultation with the State Government, Government of India will deploy teams for rapid health assessment and for taking appropriate public health measures to prevent and control outbreak of epidemic prone diseases.
Considering the additional burden of disease in the aftermath of the floods, quick response medical teams will also be sent to Kerala to provide emergency medical care.
Support under National Health Mission will be provided to make the damaged primary health care infrastructure functional.
