Health Minister Satya Kumar stresses inter-departmental coordination
PNS|Vijayawada
As Andhra Pradesh readies itself for the monsoon, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has instructed officials to adopt proactive, technology-driven measures to curb seasonal diseases. He emphasised inter-departmental coordination and warned against any laxity.
During a review meeting with senior health officials at APHC Bhavan, the Minister called for the use of tools such as drones and mosquito-tracking apps like Moskeetir to combat vector-borne diseases. High-density mosquito zones—particularly in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts—will be targeted with drone-based anti-larval spraying.
Minister Yadav underlined the need to tackle poor sanitation, stagnant water, and faulty drainage, which contribute to disease outbreaks. He instructed officials to identify hotspot areas using historical data and ensure adequate stocks of bleaching powder and chlorine tablets.
“Field officials must act proactively, not reactively. We cannot afford delays in disease prevention,” said Yadav, urging the public health system to remain vigilant and accountable.
He criticised the previous government for underreporting diseases such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya, stressing that accurate data is essential for effective intervention.
On Thursday, a COVID-19 case was confirmed in Visakhapatnam. The Minister revealed that a family member of the patient and a government doctor who treated them also tested positive. He reassured the public that the situation in Andhra Pradesh remains under control, with no new guidelines issued by the Centre so far.
Senior officials including Special Chief Secretary MT Krishna Babu, Secretary Dr Manjula, Commissioner D Veerapandian, and other health directors attended the review.
