KHAMMAM: Community health workers and health extension officers were on Thursday asked not to leave the headquarters without prior permission of their respective heads.

Addressing a meeting of medical and para-medical staff from 62 primary health centres (PHCs) working in the district, District Medical and Health Officer Chakra Rao wanted the health extension officers and the community health workers to make their services available round the clock.

He said that the district administration was closely monitoring the functioning of each PHC. Unauthorised absence of medical staff would be viewed seriously, Dr. Rao warned.

In all, 24 cases of suspected dengue were reported in the district so far. Serum samples were collected from two fresh cases in Khammam town.

Awareness drive

Some 20 samples were sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Hyderabad, and 12 of them tested positive for dengue.

He wanted the health extension officers to take lead in ensuring sanitation in villages and municipalities besides setting up campaign for creating awareness among public. The clean-up drive taken up by involving locals in certain towns helped in improving sanitation. He wanted community health workers to ensure collection of serum sampled from every suspected case without fail.

Special cell

He said the Medical and Health Department was fully geared up to cope with fevers and dengue. A dengue cell was working in the district headquarters office of the department. Patients could avail of emergency services by contacting the cell.

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