|
The Centre has dispatched more than 2 lakh tonnes of doxycycline to Mumbai today and it is likely to arrive there later this evening. With this, the immediate availability of antibiotics will be more than 4 lakh tonnes. Doxycycline is the medicine duly administered to the suspected cases of leptospirosis.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare is constantly reviewing the situation. The Union Health Secretary has discussed with the Chief Secretary and Secretary (Health) of Maharashtra in detail about the situation. Officers of Directorate General of Health Services are in constant touch with the State medical authorities.
A high level team led by Director General of Health Services including Director General Indian Council of Medical Research, Director, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Director National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) visited Mumbai yesterday. This team met the Chief Minister, Maharashtra, State Health officials and reviewed the epidemiological situation pertaining to communicable diseases particularly leptospirosis, dengue and malaria and the medical relief work. With the focused approach of the State and Central Government, the situation is being brought under control and is likely to improve considerably in the next few days. The State has adequate stocks of essential medicines, disinfectants and insecticides to tide over the situation.
Addl. DG Health Services & Director, NICD along with public health and clinical experts are visiting Kalyan, Dombivili and other worst affected areas today. The combined NICD & ICMR team stationed at Kalyan would continue to assist the health authorities to institute public health measures. The six additional teams consisting of 11 clinical specialists, 6 public health specialists and six entomologists deputed from NICD, Central Government hospitals, NVBDCOP and ICMR would work under the overall supervision of DG, Health Services, Government of Maharashtra.
A control room of MOHFW has been established at All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Mumbai to coordinate the activities of Central Government Institutions and teams at Mumbai. Advice on post flood public health measures have been communicated to Maharashtra Health authorities.
EK/NVN/NSR
|
