The Government has decided to adopt inter-sectoral collaboration for prevention of dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the State. The issue was discussed at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik here recently. Last year, 1,800 dengue cases were detected in the State of which 33 had died. It was decided that preventive measures will be taken through inter-departmental coordination. There will be focus on areas where the disease had spread last year.
Of the total 33 deaths, 22 were reported from Angul district while the rest fatalities were from Sambalpur, Rourkela and Kendrapara districts. It has been decided to launch a special drive in Angul, Rourkela and Jharsuguda for destroying piled-up old tyres and other breeding places of mosquitoes.
Sub-collectors will be entrusted with the task to undertake the special drive and workers’ union of the area involved in the task. School managing committees will take up intensified awareness campaign on the disease along with Gaon Kalyan Samitis.
The Chief Secretary has asked the departments to take up inter-departmental coordination on the model of disaster management work. The departments have been further advised to work out detailed plans for utilising the services of non-government organisations (NGOs). It was decided that an action plan will be worked out for collaboration among Health, Housing, Industries, Mines, School and Mass Education and Information and Public Relations departments. The proposed action plan was discussed at the meeting. Doctors will be imparted orientation training while separate training programmes will be organised for Government employees for enforcement of guidelines and awareness campaign.
