GUWAHATI, 17 Jun: Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday chaired a virtual meeting with central and state agencies to review public health preparedness as part of the flood management in Assam.
He also directed the officials concerned to prepare a flood public health response and action plan with a perspective of health emergencies.
The union health minister underscored the importance of collaboration and coordination between central and state agencies to ensure effective management of flood, an official release said.
“Virtually reviewed Public Health Preparedness ahead of monsoon season in Assam, with State Government & Central Health Institutions,” Mandaviya wrote on Twitter.
He also emphasised on preventive healthcare and greater awareness among the communities regarding vector and water-borne diseases, the statement said.
The minister also underscored the need for preparedness of critical care equipment, oxygen and hospital beds, as well as the availability of clean drinking water in flood-affected regions.
“Directed to prepare Flood Public Health Response & Action Plan with perspective of health emergencies. Also, highlighted the importance of Central-State collaboration for effective disaster management,” the minister said on the micro-blogging site.
He urged the officials concerned to work on a flood management model to deal with the situation in Assam, which is a recurring phenomenon.
The minister directed them to prepare an online database, listing all the important information like the availability of beds, oxygen and other health facilities to ensure efficient management of any health emergency.
“A flood management model with coordinated efforts of both the central and state governments can bring about the best results,” he said.
Assam has been hit by the first wave of flood early this week with over 34,000 people affected in 11 districts, following incessant rainfall.
The union minister also urged the officials to ensure that health and wellness centres are well-equipped with required medicines, equipment and other amenities.
He directed all health workers to remain trained, so that they can provide requisite healthcare services during emergencies.
“Accredited social health activists, auxiliary nurses and midwives, community health officers should know their roles and responsibilities for any emergency. Advance training will ensure that they are effective in providing healthcare services during emergency flood management,” he stated.
Mandaviya also assured the state agencies of all support from the Centre for flood management in the state.
During the meeting, Assam Health Department Principal Secretary Avinash Joshi presented a comprehensive overview of the preparedness and measures taken by the state towards emergency public health response to deal with possible waterborne diseases in flood-affected areas.
These measures include the establishment of emergency medical camps, provision of clean drinking water, distribution of necessary medicines, and deployment of medical teams to provide immediate healthcare assistance to affected individuals, he said.
Extensive information, education and communication activities have also been undertaken to generate awareness about water and vector-borne diseases due to floods, he said.
All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the availability of medical resources and prompt response to any potential health crisis, Joshi added.
The deputy commissioners of Barpeta, Kamrup, Cachar, Lakhimpur, Dima Hasao and Dibrugarh districts, who joined the review meeting, stated that they are regularly reviewing the preparedness to ensure effective management of flood, the statement said.
During the meeting, Health Services Director General Dr Atul Goel said that the regional offices are prepared to support the Assam government and a team of specialists from AIIMS Guwahati will be deployed to assist the state whenever required.
Senior officials of the union health ministry, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Shillong, the Indian Council of Medical Research Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh, and the Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences, Aizawl, took part in the meeting. (PTI)