Post News Network
Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur, Dec 24: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday visited the jaundice-affected Sambalpur district to take stock of the situation and announced a `100crore package for an underground piped water supply project for the city.
The CM during a review directed the district administration officials to take a slew of measures to contain the alarming spread of hepatitis (jaundice) and announced grant of `60crore for repair and restoration of Dhobijor, Haradjor and Tangana culverts.
Accompanied by Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati and Health secretary Arati Ahuja, Patnaik discussed the prevailing situation with collector Balwant Singh and other officials.
People affected by jaundice will be provided medicines and free diagnostic and treatment facilities. A team of experts will be drafted to monitor the situation in the town and conduct regular blood and water sample examination.
The chief minister ordered installation of plastic water tanks as an ad hoc measure to provide safe drinking water in the affected areas and community toilets to prevent open defecation.
A Central team will visit Sambalpur Thursday to assist the state government to deal with jaundice outbreak there. Taking serious note of the reports of hepatitis, Health Minister J P Nadda has directed dispatch of the team comprising a member from National Centre for Disease Control and one from Indian Council of Medical Research to assist the state government.
So far, Jaundice has claimed 18 lives in Sambalpur and at least 1300 people have been affected by the ailment.
