PNS | Vijayawada
Dr. Vemireddy Ramireddy, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, has announced that comprehensive measures are being implemented to combat seasonal diseases throughout the state. In a statement released on Sunday, Dr. Ramireddy highlighted the ongoing efforts to prevent malaria, dengue, and other seasonal diseases.
He stated that a review meeting was held in February, involving all District Malaria Officers, where 1,969 malaria risk villages with a population of 4.72 lakh over the past four years were identified. To address this, two rounds of indoor residual spray operations were authorised, with the first round conducted from April 15 to June 30 in all identified villages. The second round of spraying began on July 1 in ASR and Anakapalle districts, while the remaining districts will commence spraying from July 15 until August 1.
Dr. Ramireddy further mentioned that various activities were organised as part of the Anti-Malaria Month, during which a total of 3,522,451 individuals with fever were screened, leading to the diagnosis of 1,630 malaria cases. Additionally, the government supplied and distributed 2.595 million Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in tribal malaria risk areas and other malaria-prone regions of the state.
A special action plan has been devised in coordination with the Fisheries department to release 10 million Gambusia fishes in identified water bodies, aiming to control mosquito larvae. The Sub Unit Officers-Malaria are conducting mosquito larval density assessments to guide the implementation of larval control measures.
Regarding the Anti-Dengue Month, a total of 40,194 serum samples were collected from symptomatic dengue cases, with 2,329 cases testing positive for dengue at 54 designated Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals. Since 2019, the Andhra Pradesh government has been providing free treatment for malaria and dengue under the Dr. YSR Arogyasri scheme.
Dr. Ramireddy also highlighted the involvement of Minister for Health, Medical, and Family Welfare, Vidudala Rajini, Special Chief Secretary MT Krishna Babu, and Commissioner of Health & Family Welfare J Nivas. They conducted a video conference with District Level Officials on July 7, instructing them to take stringent measures to control dengue and malaria in the state.
The State Consultants of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) have ordered visits to the districts during the first fortnight of July 2023 to verify field activities such as surveillance, treatment, and control operations.
