Start door to door survey in flood-hit areas - DC to health department 

Ludhiana, July 15, 2023: With improvement in the flood situation in the district, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik on Saturday directed the health department to start door to door survey in the flood-ravaged areas to check possible spread of water and vector-borne diseases. 

Chairing a meeting with ADC (General) Gautam Jain, Civil Surgeon Dr Hatinder Kaur, all SMOs and heads of various wings of the health department, Malik said that as the water had been started receding in the flood-hit areas,   there was an immediate need to clean these areas as the stagnant water can cause vector-borne diseases. She said that as a proactive measure, health teams must asked to conduct a survey of areas to keep vigil on the complaints of a fever, abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and other issues. She also asked the department to carry out fogging in these areas where it is required.  Village and ward level micro-plans for the flood-affected areas must be executed immediately to contain any kind of disease. 

Malik said that the health department must also hold special camps in these areas so that people can be checked and treated at their doorsteps. She also asked that the health department must also study the OPD in Aam Aadmi Clinics to check the trend of diseases being reported mostly. 

Further, Deputy Commissioner said that teams must sensitize the people about breeding of mosquitoes in the places so that these can be destroyed immediately. Empty the articles that may have water collected in the homes. Hygiene should be maintained to keep diseases at bay.  Besides, people must be advised to drink safe water after boiling or chlorination of water to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases.

The Deputy Commissioner said that people must practice frequent hand washing with soap to prevent infections. If anyone develops fever or diarrhoea, they should seek health care government health facilities including medical camps and should not give self-treatment.
 
Further, Malik said that the bacterial Skin infections were also common during floods due to contaminated water and insect bites and to prevent such infections people are advised to wear rubber boots and full sleeves clothes. Visit the nearest health care facility to avail any kind of treatment.

Earlier, the DC also took a round of 5 Aam Aadmi Clinics in Salem Tabri, near Chand Cinema, Chawni Mohalla, Shivpuri and Grain Market and asked the Health department officials to ensure that best healthcare is provided to the residents.