Punjab: Campaign launched against vector-borne diseases
Punjab: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Friday launched a statewide campaign to combat vector-borne diseases, snake and dog bite cases. A special cleanliness drive was also launched in Patiala city and surrounding villages. Commenting on the flood situation in the state, the minister said, “The real challenge begins now, when the water will recede.” He advised residents to be cautious of snake and dog bites and urged them to carry torches and sticks at night. The minister noted a sharp rise in snake bite cases in flood-affected areas. Patiala alone has reported 226 such cases since January, including 58 since August 1, and three deaths have been reported in Patiala district alone.
Despite the availability of anti-snake bite medicine in government hospitals, he expressed concern over the delay in reporting by patients and appealed to the public to seek medical help immediately. He directed the 12,977 Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs), which have a total of over 1 lakh members, to work in tandem with the government. He said door-to-door visits, sample collection and community awareness were the keys to controlling the outbreak. Under the “Har Friday Dengue Te Vaar” campaign, trained ASHA workers will help identify mosquito breeding sites. The health department will also distribute Gambusia fish in village ponds as a biological measure to control the mosquito population. He said all Aam Aadmi Clinics in flood-affected areas will resume soon, providing free check-ups and treatment.
