Baripada: A district-level taskforce meeting was organised here to tackle vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue that have spread alarmingly in the area with the onset of monsoon.
The taskforce committee members were asked to intensify spraying of DDT and take up extensive public awareness measures to prevent spread of malaria and dengue.
Delivering his welcome address, Dr Chandan Murmu said the district administration is taking a slew of measures to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases in the tribal-dominated district.
District malaria prevention officer Dr Shashikant Sethy enlightened the attendants about the measures to prevent the diseases and the basic treatment methods.
He said spraying of DDT has been catalysed in all the villages of the interior pockets. He urged the concerned officials to involve health workers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, students and teachers in the awareness programme.
Other activities under the National Rural Health Mission like providing nutrition supplements to the malnourished children, taking proper care of the newborn children and health of adolescent girls were also discussed in the meeting.
The authorities were asked to ensure proper functioning of Gaon Kalyan Samitis and Rogi Kalyan Samitis. They should also ensure that students of all schools and colleges undergo eye tests and be provided with spectacles and medicines to address their eye-sight problems.
Several individuals and organisations were awarded for their contributions to the health sector.
Among others, additional district medical officer (public health) Dr Bibhuti Bhushan Mohant, district TB officer Dr Kasturi Mishra, Zilla Samaj Kalyan officer Kusumala Mishra and other employees of the health department attended the meeting. PNN