Surendra Soren
Ranchi
With the onset of the monsoon raising the risk of mosquito- and water-borne diseases, Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari has directed the state health department to remain on high alert and intensify preventive measures against malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, typhoid and other seasonal infections.
In a review meeting on Friday, the minister instructed the Civil Surgeons of Ranchi, Khunti and East Singhbhum to implement malaria control measures on a war footing, stressing that early diagnosis, prompt treatment and a “Zero Malaria Death Strategy” must remain the department’s top priority.
Dr Ansari also carried out field inspections in Ranchi and adjoining areas along with a team of doctors to assess malaria control measures and healthcare services. During the visit, he interacted with residents, reviewed medical facilities and directed officials to deploy special medical teams, intensify fogging, indoor residual spraying (IRS), anti-larval activities, bleaching powder spraying and door-to-door fever surveillance in vulnerable areas.
The minister said he would visit Jamshedpur and the Kolhan region to review preparedness once local scheduling permits, adding that health department teams had already surveyed sensitive areas and submitted reports for targeted interventions.
He directed all government hospitals and health centres to ensure adequate availability of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS) testing, ACT medicines, injectable artesunate, oxygen support, ICU beds, ambulances and laboratory supplies. Special attention should be given to severe malaria cases, particularly cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, he said.
The minister also ordered strengthened surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and deployment of additional medical personnel, including interns, junior doctors and mobile medical units, in remote areas.
Appealing to the public, Dr Ansari urged people experiencing persistent fever, chills, severe headache, vomiting, breathing difficulty or other warning symptoms to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest government health facility.
