Health minister calls for checking outbreak of diseases

Chandigarh, May 25 (UNI) Punjab Health Minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla today called upon senior officers and functionaries of the departments of Rural Development, Health, Medical Education and Research, Local Bodies and Public Health to work in close coordination so as to prevent the outbreak of diseases like dengue, Chikangunya and other vector borne diseases.

Presiding over a high leveled meeting of the senior officers of these departments, Mrs Chawla said that she herself would tour various areas in the state to oversee the cleanliness level. She further said that no case of dengue or other vector borne diseases had yet been reported from any part of the state.

She asked the Municipal bodies to launch an intensive cleanliness drive in the urban slum areas to drain stagnant water and take anti mosquito measures. Civil Surgeons have been asked to launch an intensive health education campaign to guide the public about the necessary measures to be taken, she added.

She also asked the department of public health to ensure proper sanitation in the community toiletsand sewers.

The Department of Medical Education assured the minister that the medical colleges and hospitals were well equipped to fight against vector borne diseases.

UNI