From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 19: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar has instructed the district authorities, especially Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats, of the flood-hit districts to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and infectious diseases.
Dr Sudhakar, who is also in charge of Medical Education, told media persons after a video conference with DCs, CEOs, DHOs and other officials from Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Yadagiri, Koppal, and Belagavi that taking precautionary measures against the spread infectious was of paramount importance.
The Minister informed that villages of in several parts of North Karnataka are waterlogged due to torrential rains. Out of 155 villages in Kalaburagi that are waterlogged, 55 are in a precarious condition and 23,250 people from the village have been shifted to safer places. 27 villages in Vijayapura have been waterlogged and 1861 people have been shifted out of the village, the Minister said.
He also gave instructions to maintain hygiene in all care centres.
Dr Sudhakar said he has instructed the administrations of the flood-hit districts to spray a disinfectant solution around care centres opened in the districts.
Providing pure drinking water has been made mandatory, he said adding, "In areas with no drinking water units, warm water must be provided. Instructions have been given out to maintain hygiene and cleanliness at care centres while distributing food.’’
The Minister said he will be visiting the flood-hit districts to review the preventive measures taken against the spread of infectious diseases and COVID19.
He said necessary measures are taken to steer clear of COVID-19 along with infectious diseases.
The destitute will be provided accommodation facility at schools and hostels where maintaining physical distance and wearing masks have been made compulsory. The district administrations have been given the responsibility to manage the situation, he added.
The Minister noted that in comparison with last year, chicken gunya, dengue, and other infectious cases have been registered in lesser numbers. However, with the on-going festive season and incoming winter, the chances of spread of infectious diseases cannot be overruled. Hence, a directive has been released in this regard, he said.
Growing awareness about COVID-19
Dr Sudhakar said awareness about Covid19 and infectious diseases is being spread among people who have been relocated due to floods.
The health of pregnant women, new mothers, children and the elderly will be monitored in PHCs, district and taluk hospitals. The health and family welfare department will distribute free masks among these people, he said.
He called upon interested organisations and individuals to come forward to distribute masks and also help in creating public awareness about following COVID protocols.