1.74 Lakh Treated, 7.61 Lakh Given Preventive Medicine In Gujarat’s Flood Health Response
Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s Health Department said it has intensified its public health response following heavy rainfall across the state, deploying thousands of surveillance and emergency response teams and treating more than 1.74 lakh people through medical camps to prevent disease outbreaks in flood-affected areas.
According to the state government, a comprehensive ‘Monsoon Action Plan’ was implemented across all 34 districts and eight municipal corporations before and during the monsoon, allowing health authorities to respond quickly to flooding and related health risks.
The government said no major public health emergency has been reported so far and that disease outbreaks have largely remained under control despite widespread rainfall and flooding.
The department has activated round-the-clock health control rooms at the state level, in all districts and across the eight municipal corporations.
Rapid Response Teams are functioning at the state, district and taluka levels, while each district has been provided with five additional Emergency Medical Teams, supported by dedicated vehicles and staff. Healthcare support has also focused on vulnerable groups.
The department said 675 pregnant women from flood-affected areas were shifted to healthcare facilities in advance, where 272 institutional deliveries were successfully conducted.
Regular health check-ups are also being carried out for people staying in relief camps established for those affected by the floods.
Emergency medical services have been strengthened with 1,496 ambulances under the 108 Emergency Service and 816 ambulances attached to Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres placed on standby.
Primary and Community Health Centres have also been equipped with generators and sufficient diesel supplies to ensure uninterrupted services during power disruptions.
To reduce the risk of post-flood illnesses, the department organised 6,868 medical camps where more than 1.74 lakh people received health examinations and on-the-spot treatment.
More than 18,000 surveillance teams have been conducting daily door-to-door visits across affected areas. During these visits, over 1.05 crore chlorine tablets and more than 10.29 lakh Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets have been distributed.
Officials said more than 10.52 lakh residual chlorine tests have been carried out to ensure safe drinking water, while over 3,061 drinking water pipeline leakages have been repaired on priority.
The department has also stocked healthcare institutions with more than 1.5 crore chlorine tablets, over 60 lakh ORS packets and 1,38,234 Anti-Snake Venom injections.
Anti-snake venom has additionally been made available in 108 ambulances to allow prompt treatment of snakebite cases during the flood season.
To prevent leptospirosis after floodwaters receded, more than 7.61 lakh people considered at high risk in 562 villages across Valsad, Surat, Navsari and Tapi districts have received doxycycline as chemoprophylaxis.
The state has also deployed 497 additional vector control teams to undertake anti-larval measures and public awareness activities aimed at reducing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Officials said the first round of Indoor Residual Spraying has been completed in 106 high-risk villages, with the second round commencing on August 1.
Larvivorous Gambusia fish have also been released into 4,998 permanent water bodies to help control mosquito breeding.
“We are continuing public awareness campaigns through ASHA workers and vector control teams to educate residents on preventing monsoon-related diseases, while maintaining preparedness to respond to any further health emergencies arising from the ongoing monsoon season,” officials added.
(IANS)
