Vector Control officials assess health administration

EMN
Dimapur, September 13

Officials from Nagaland’s Health department recently undertook an assessment, discussing prevalent scenarios in the state concern vector-borne diseases and the measures currently in place to check them. In a recent meeting with private health practitioners, local leaders and municipal administrators, the health officials undertook examinations of the health sector and what initiatives that must be taken to counter vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Japanese Encephalitis.Officials of the department of Health & Family Welfare officials met recently with chairman of local wards and ‘Gaonburas’ (GBs) under Dimapur Municipal Council. The meeting was held in the CMO conference hall on September 6. The state’s Program Officer for National Vector Borne Disease Control Program Dr. L Yanthan spoke on the collective responsibility of the department as well as the civic bodies’ in controlling mosquitoes. The action is required for prevention of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Japanese Encephalitis, he said. Diagnostic tests and medicines are being provided for free at various health units, he informed the gathered officials and local leaders. Activities to control mosquito breeding are being carried out through the Urban Malaria Scheme. The actions include distribution of larvivorous fishes (which feed on mosquito larvae), insecticide spray etc, among others.
Further, the meeting was informed that ‘entomological surveillance’ is being carried out regularly by entomologists of the department. ‘There is an epidemic preparedness plan in place for any outbreak. Prevention of water stagnation by individuals and public bodies also play a very important role in source reduction for breeding of disease causing vectors,’ Dr. Yanthan said.
The medical officer has asked the Dimapur Municipal Council to study the civic bylaws of cities such as Pune and Mumbai. Pune and Mumbai have legislations that make individuals and organizations accountable for water stagnation within their premises, he said. Chief Executive Officer of the Dimapur Municipal Council Orenthung Humtsoe also addressed the meeting. The municipal administrator urged the colony chairman and GBs to cooperate with the activities of the health department.
A program to sensitize people on various aspects of health administration was held the following day with private medical practitioners based in Dimapur as well as with functionaries of the Indian Medical Association.
Chief Medical Officer of Dimapur district Dr. P Tia Jamir urged the doctors in the private sector to support the activities of the health department through submission of periodic reports so that health data is secured and ‘reflective’ of the whole population.
Scenario associated with vector borne diseases in Dimapur district was presented by Dr. Moa Jamir, DPO of Dimapur. The technical sessions on laboratory diagnosis, clinical features and management of malaria, dengue and Japanese Encephalitis were moderated by Pathologist Dr. Temsu and Dr. Ngopelo of Dimapur district hospital. Deputy Director of National Vector Borne Disease Control Program Dr. Vethihulu and Senior Malaria Inspector Zasievizo broached issues related to monitoring of the health units in Dimapur district. They visited health units and villages falling under Medziphema community health center, Dhansiripar community health canter as well as offices of Urban Malaria Scheme and DPO of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program.
The quality of Indoor Residual Spray of DDT, IEC activities and vector borne disease surveillance activities were also assessed during the session.