The Health Department has issued an advisory against the spread of jaundice in the district in the wake of cases being reported from several parts hit by the floods.
District Medical Officer V. Jayasree said fever, lack of appetite, yellowness in eyes and urine, and nausea are some of the symptoms. She said the disease spreads mainly through contaminated water and food. The debris and waste being collected after the receding of floodwaters should not be dumped into rivers, rivulets or isolated fields. They should be sorted and disposed under the supervision of the local bodies.
Meanwhile, a 24-hour helpline set up by the department, the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, to address the health concerns of the flood-hit population, will start functioning on Tuesday. Those who have health issues, mental problems and other emergency needs should dial 9745661177, 9745774433, 8943118811.
Operation Navajeevan, the campaign launched by the Health Department in association with NHM, is also going on in full swing. Teams involving medical officers, health inspectors, junior health inspectors, doctors from private hospitals, and members of the Indian Medical Association are addressing the needs of those put up at relief camps. Dr. Jayasree said fever, headache, and athlete’s foot were some of the common complaints being raised by the people.
The Department of Indian Systems of Medicine too is involved in the relief work. District Medical Officer (Ayurveda) P.R. Salajakumari said medicines to prevent communicable diseases had been prepared. Ayurveda doctors would now shift their focus to houses as many were planning to go back home against the backdrop of receding water levels.
