The Hindu : Kerala News : IMA for steps to prevent epidemics

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Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008
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Kerala

IMA for steps to prevent epidemics

Staff Reporter

KOLLAM: The epidemic control cell of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) State unit has it is time for the State to launch preventive measures against the outbreak of possible epidemic diseases.

At a press conference here on Tuesday, chairman of the cell C.V. Prathapan said any delay in launching preventive measures could lead to a repeat of last year.

The IMAs State-level epidemic preventive programme was launched in Pathanamthitta on February 22 by State president of the IMA S. Alex Franklin. The programme was underway in all districts in association with the respective district administration. Squad work for vector control had been launched as part of the programme.

Chikungunya

Dr. Prathapan said chikungunya threat over the State still persisted. He said the IMA had charted out an action plan for preventive measures and would like to launch it in cooperation with the State government. The IMA felt the government programme for preventive measures was not progressing at the desired level.

The IMA was of the opinion that in order to effectively counter the epidemic threat, the government should exploit the facilities of the private health sector too. Last year, this sector was not exploited for the purpose. That should not happen this time, he said. As a first step towards the preventive measures, the government should fill all the health inspector vacancies.

He said based on the studies conducted by the cell, a fact sheet and vector control document was already published.

In case of an epidemic outburst at any location, the IMA would sent an emergency team to the area.

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