The Hindu : Kerala News : Steps to prevent epidemic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Steps to prevent epidemic

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 27. The Health Department has announced a series of measures to prevent an epidemic in the aftermath of the tsunami havoc in the State, particularly the southern districts.

Fearing the outbreak of contagious diseases, usually seen soon after natural calamities of such magnitude, the Department has issued directions to clean and chlorinate wells and other drinking water sources in the affected areas. The Health Minister, K.K. Ramachandran, today announced the setting up of rapid response medical teams in Ernakulam, Kollam and Alappuzha to extend round the clock services.

Report for duty

The Minister said that health inspectors from Kottayam, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram had been asked to report for duty in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kollam districts to shore up the manpower requirements in view of the possibilities of the outbreak of an epidemic. All Health Department staff have been put on 24-hour duty and if necessary, senior officials have been given the powers to employ additional hands to help out the State machinery in extending health services. This would be in existence till December 30, the Director of Medical Services, B. Mahilamani, said.

Besides opening 24-hour control rooms in Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kannur, directions have been issued to the District Medical Officers to form rapid response groups in their respective districts and keep in readiness ambulances and medical supplies. All hospitals and health centres would remain open for 24 hours in the affected areas, she said. Health workers have already started a health awareness campaign among the affected population.

Medical camps

Dr. Mahilamani said that DMOs had been asked to open medical camps wherever it was found necessary. Medical supplies have been made available in all the hospitals and relief camps and DMOs had been authorised to go in for local purchases if necessary. Besides, senior officials had been deputed to each of the affected districts.

The Health Minister said 95 medical camps had been started in the affected districts, with 107 doctors and 460 paramedical staff being put in position. Doctors of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College had been deputed in three groups to Vizhinjam, Karunagapally and Kollam, while two groups from the Alappuzha Medical College had been asked to go to Kayamkulam and Cherthala.

IMA extends help

The Indian Medical Association had also extended the services of doctors in the medical camps, he added.

In Kollam district, 25 medical camps have been started, while in Alappuzha and Ernakulam 26 and 39 medical camps have been functioning. In Thrissur, three camps have been started while in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur one camp each has been started.

The Director of Health Services said more than 500 in-patients were in various hospitals in Kollam, while 120 persons had been admitted to various hospitals in Alappuzha district.

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