Close watch on sanitation and awareness programmes as well as the distribution of nilavembu kudineer has prevented the outbreak of any epidemic in the district, said Deputy Director for Health N. Kalu Sivalingam.
He told The Hindu that the field workers of local bodies in co-operation with Health Department had engaged in creating awareness about the medicinal values of nilavembu kudineer by distributing pamphlets and taking out rallies in each and every village.
As people were well aware of benefits of nilavembu kudineer in increasing immunity, they were eager to get it in government hospitals, primary health centres, and urban health centres. There were 11 government hospitals, 53 primary health centres, three urban health centres, and one government headquarters hospital at Nagapattinam. Nilavembu kudineer was distributed in all these hospitals and centres through Siddha wing for the benefit of the people.
The Department of Health has decided to distribute it in bus stands. It had started it at Mayiladuthurai bus stand and the initiative would be extended to other bus stands in different parts of the district, said the Deputy Director for Health Services.
However, as the district had witnessed a few dengue cases, the Health Department had stepped up surveillance in rural areas to intensify its operation to destroy mosquito breeding sources in association with local bodies. Moreover, fogging operations were in full swing to control the mosquito menace in the district, Mr. Sivalingam added.
Nilavembu kudineer distribution to be stepped up
Awareness rallies being planned in all villages
