An urgent meeting of the Cabinet will be convened late in the evening on Monday to discuss the outbreak of contagious diseases in the State and decide on preventive measures.
The meeting will mainly consider measures for waste disposal, as poor sanitation had been cited by experts as one of the underlying causes for the outbreak. Further measures to improve treatment of those affected by leptospirosis, hepatitis and other diseases would also be taken.
The Cabinet meets after the all-party meet on the outbreak, scheduled for earlier in the day, and consider recommendations of the meet regarding disease control.
More than 50 persons have died of leptospirosis this year, and more than 100 deaths since January are suspected to have been caused by leptospirosis.
Government health services are currently facing a shortage of about 700 doctors. The government has instructed the Health Department to appoint doctors, including retired hands, on contract basis. The support of private hospitals are also being enlisted.
Twenty-four-hour control rooms have been opened in district medical offices to tackle the situation.
