The outbreak of dengue in some pockets around Melur has galvanised efforts to prevent the spread of the fever to other parts of the district.
On Thursday, Collector Anshul Mishra chaired a review meeting with officials of Department of Health and Family Welfare; Madurai Corporation led by its Commissioner R. Nanthagopal; representatives from all the 13 revenue blocks; senior doctors of Government Rajaji Hospital; and Health Inspectors.
The Collector pulled up the health wing officials, especially from Arittapatti near Melur, for their lackadaisical attitude in not being pro-active. “You must coordinate with the Melur Government Hospital and prevent the spread of the disease. Educate villagers about the consequences of storing water in stone-made containers. Do not allow water stagnation. Destroy coconut shells and unused tyres. Tell the residents in your pockets about how such containers give space for breeding mosquitoes. Involve panchayat representatives. Create awareness among children at all the village panchayats and municipal schools. Let the children convey the message to their parents…” Mr. Mishra said.
Primary Health Centres that received an unusual number of fever cases should refer them to the Government Hospital. Village Health Nurses should visit hamlets where fever incidence was high and take action swiftly. By sensitising womenfolk to keep the environment clean, things could be handled well before something worse happened, he said.
Mr. Mishra appealed to the private hospitals to refer abnormal fever cases to government hospitals as early as possible. Instead of keeping the patients in their hospitals, reference to the GRH would help early diagnosis and cure.
A meeting with Indian Medical Association members was held later in the evening in which the Collector stressed the need for pro-active approach and better coordination as it would help in dengue-management.
The Health Inspectors, who claimed that they had undertaken fogging in dengue-prone areas, maintained that strict surveillance was there from day one when there were reports of suspected spread. Not convinced with their claims, the Collector urged them to be pro-active and conduct door-to-door campaign. “It may be tedious, but we have the responsibility to take care of the welfare of people.”
A couple of Health Inspectors complained that potable water was contaminated in some hamlets near Tirumangalam, T. Kallupatti and Kalligudi. He directed the civic authorities to carry out a drive and be vigilant round-the-clock.
Corporation
In Corporation limits, the Collector was informed about cases of suspected dengue from Managiri. He urged the health officials to carry out fogging regularly. “Let there not be any slackness. Concentrate on slums and disposal of garbage. The GRH authorities said that two male in-patients admitted for dengue treatment were from Virudhunagar district and another five were residents of Velavankottai in Dindigul district. The medical reports of patients from Melur and peripheries were likely to be ready by Friday, the officials said.
