AP prepares plan to control vector-borne diseases

Hyderabad, Jun 2 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh government had prepared a micro and macro plan for effective control of vector-borne diseases, including Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Health Minister S Chandrasekar said today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the government would distribute 20 lakh doses of "JE vaccines" and five lakh nets in tribal and other areas, affected by vector-borne diseases.

Neo-natal intensive care units would be set up in all district headquarters this year as part of the efforts to bring down infant mortality rate from the present 53 deaths per 1000 live births to 30 in the next four years, he said.

Under the National Rural Health Mission, Rs 10,000 had been allocated for each sub-centre of Public Health Centres (PHCs) as flexible fund to meet emergency health care-related matters.

He said there was no shortage of medicines in the government hospitals.

With funds from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, hospital infrastructure would be improved across the state this year, he said, adding that woman health volunteers would be placed for every 1000 population.

Apart from filling up vacancies of doctors and para-medical staff in tribal and other areas, the PHCs would be categorised based on remoteness. Incentives like promotion and allowances would be provided to those working in such locations, he added.

UNI