Bengaluru, October 19, 2020: Health & Family welfare and Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar has instructed the officials to initiate proper precautionary measures in flood affected areas on war footing, to prevent outbreak of possible communicable diseases. He was speaking at a review meeting with DCs, ZP CEOs and DHOs of Bagalakote, Vijayapura, Kalburgi, Yadagiri, Koppala and Belagavi through video conference on Monday.

Kalburgi is the worst affected district with more than 150 villages are being surrounded by the water and people of 50 villages have been shifted to safer places. A total of 23,250 people have been evacuated to government care centres in the district. 27 villages are affected in Vijayapura district. One person has died. 1861 people in this district have been evacuated to care centres. There is no need of any relief centres in other districts. Minister explained.

Minister instructed the officials to provide clean and safe drinking water and quality food to the affected people at care centres. If safe drinking water is not available, it should be boiled and filtered before providing to the flood affected people he said. Government has provided a menu chart and guidelines have been laid out to maintain cleanliness at care centres. Said Dr.Sudhakar.

Senior citizens, pregnant women and children are to be shifted to community health centres and medical check ups to be carried out. People with symptoms of fever and other ailments are to undergo Covid tests. Masks, sanitizers and other facilities to be provided at care centres. Also, to make sure physical distancing is maintained at these centres he added.

Situation Under Control:

Speaking on the spread of communicable diseases, Dr Sudhakar said that, Compared to last year, spreading of Dengue, Chickengunya and other diseases are under control in these districts this year. Next few months are crucial as festive season is there. District administrations have been instructed to take extra precautions due to prevailing Covid situation. Currently situation is under control. We have instructed the officials to make use of mobile health units if necessary.

Chances of spreading of infections in winter and festive season is more. Kerala which had succeeded in controlling the virus is suffering now due to mistakes happened during Onam season. Infections are on the rise. The same mistake should not be repeated here. There fore proper instructions have been passed to concerned administration to implement all precautionary measures in these districts, said the Minister.

Thanking the Army for timely assistance:

Minister has expressed his gratitude for army, NDRF and SDRF personnel who helped the people to reach safe places. Timely assistance provided by these forces helped to prevent a greater disaster, said the Minister.

Minister’s response:

“Instructed the officials of flood affected districts to ensure implementation of proper precautionary measures as there are chances of outbreak of various communicable diseases in these areas. Government is responsible for protecting the health of people and we will go all out to ensure it”

– Dr.K.Sudhakar, Health and Medical Education Minister