JAMMU: Secretary of Health and Medical Education (H&ME), Bhupinder Kumar today reviewed the preparedness of the department for the possible Dengue epidemic at the Civil Secretariat here.
Principals of all GMCs of J&K; Director Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir; Additional Secretary, H&ME; Joint Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation; Medical Superintendents of Jammu Division; Chief Medical Officers of all districts; State Surveillance Officer, Jammu/Kashmir, and other officers attended the meeting.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, the Secretary of Health emphasized that dengue is an emerging threat in the coming months as it is a seasonal disease of the monsoon and post-monsoon period. He exhorted upon all the stakeholders to focus on a three-pronged strategy for the control and prevention of dengue case management, IEC/BCC, and Integrated Vector Control Management.
The Secretary called upon the officers for an aggressive IEC/BCC campaign for awareness of the community to be carried out on local radio, television, and through Jammu Municipal Corporation garbage collection Vans.
Bhupinder Kumar issued on-spot instructions to enhance surveillance activities of Vector-Borne Diseases in districts, identification of the high-risk areas should be prioritized and accordingly, strategies for integrated vector management (IVM) be worked out.
He emphasized upon officers to ensure the availability of diagnostic kits/drugs, insecticides, and other logistics in all districts of the Jammu division. He further directed all CMOs to enhance surveillance and source reduction activities for the control of dengue.
During the meeting, a powerpoint presentation highlighting strategies adopted by the department for control of dengue, epidemiological data, and key strategies for control of dengue was presented by State Malariologist, J&K, Dr. Harjeet Rai.
