Rapid Response teams to check water borne diseases in Punjab

Chandigarh, Aug 5 (UNI) The Punjab Health Department has constituted Rapid Response teams and State Task Force to prevent and control water borne diseases in the state.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Health Director Sukhdev Singh said that the State Task Force has been established under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Health to review and assess the outbreak of any communicable, water borne disease. It will accordingly plan steps to be taken for management and prevention of outbreaks in coordination with concerned departments.

Dr Singh further said that the Rapid Response teams would rush to the affected areas to control the situation. These teams will provides immediate medical treatment and carry out IEC activities.

These teams in each district consists of one physician, pediatrician, pathologist, pharmacist and health workers along with an ambulance. Coordination committees had also been formed to coordinates between different departments so as to ensure chlorination of drinking water and to ensure garbage disposal and maintenance of sanitation.

The Health Director said that sufficient supply of medicines was available with the department of health and family welfare to treat patients of aliments in the hospitals and in affected areas.

Separate wards had been earmarked in hospitals for affected patients.

UNI