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The Centre has issued technical guidelines on public health measures that need to be adopted in the Tsunami affected areas. The guidelines have been sent to the affected state governments. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has also sent four more team of public health experts one each to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. These experts are assisting the State Governments in public health measures to be undertaken in the affected areas. There has been no outbreak of diseases reported by the state authorities to the Health and Family Welfare regional offices. The Central team of epidemiologists currently in Nagapattinam are enquiring into reports regarding outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases in the district.
The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss is in Chennai reviewing the medical relief activities after visited the Tsunami affected coastal areas in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry.
Meanwhile, emergency medical relief amounting to Rs.40 crore has been supplied to the affected states. The situation is being constantly monitored. About 1000 hospital sheets and 4 lakh halozane tablets as requested by the Andaman and Nicobar authorities have been dispatched. About 20 MT of bleaching powder is ready for being air lifted to the islands. The state authorities have been approached to convey any additional requirements for drugs and emergency medical stores. Additional stock of medical stores are also being mobilized and kept ready to be sent to any of the affected states in want of medicines.
A team of eight physicians, two public health experts and 20 nurses have been deputed to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands today to strengthen the already existing teams of physicians and surgeons.
As already reported yesterday, a five member team of physicians, surgeons and public health experts is camping at Andaman and Nicobar Islands to provide immediate relief. In order to provide comprehensive care and relief, a team of twelve members from CGHS, Kolkata and AIIH & PH have also reached Andaman and Nicobar Islands with essential emergency medical stores.
The Director General of Health Services, Dr. S.P. Aggarwal who is currently in Chennai has reviewed the health situation with public health experts. International agencies like WHO are also involved in the review and are taking additional measures in the affected areas. Nine ICMR teams, six in Tamilnadu, two in Andhra Pradesh and one in Kerala are assisting the Central team in public health related activities.
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