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The focus of the medical efforts now is on preventing any outbreak of epidemics and also counseling the survivors to deal with their trauma and overcome psychological fears.
The emphasis is on provision of safe drinking water, proper disposal of excreta, trench latrines and improvement of personal hygiene. All children 6 months to five years of age in relief camps are being vaccinated for measles and are being given recommended dosage of vitamin-A supplement. There is adequate stock of measles vaccines in all affected areas.
62 paramedics (lab technicians, sanitary inspectors and vaccinators have been sent to Andaman and Nicobar islands.
There is active disease surveillance to detect any impending outbreak of epidemic prone disease. As of now, there is no indication or signals of any existing or impending disease outbreaks.
The medical effort has also been focused on addressing psychosocial issues in affected areas. About 94 doctors (consisting of 23 physicians including 6 psychiatrists, 42 General Duty Medical Officers, 29 public health specialists) and 20 nurses have been mobilized from Central Government Institutions to the affected areas. 24 specialists from Central Government hospitals are on their way to Port Blair. Additional Psychiatrists are being mobilized to affected areas for addressing psychosocial issues.
EK/MK.
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