Jajpur: Amid diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha’s Jajpur, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling visited areas affected by the water-borne disease in the district to assess the ground situation.
Sources said that the Minister first visited the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Dharmasala in the district and enquired about the health condition of patients affected by the diarrhoea.
Mahaling interacted with health professionals and doctors, stressing the need to step up action to contain further spread of the disease in the district, where some cholera cases have also been detected.
Stating that the patients are recovering fast, the Minister said that an additional health team from SCB Medical College and Hospital has been deployed to support the efforts in the district.
“The government is taking every measure to keep the situation under control and prevent further spread of diarrhoea. A central team is also visiting the district today to assess the situation and recommend further measures,” he told reporters.
Stressing that the situation is not alarming, the Minister urged people to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as loose motion, vomiting, or abdominal pain and avoid consulting local quacks or medicine stores.
Terming cholera detection a major concern, he said all need to make collective efforts to prevent its further spread.
Among the affected areas are Dharmasala, Jajpur, Danagadi, Korei, and Rasulpur blocks, where hospitals are crowded with patients.
The Minister’s visit came amid criticism from the Opposition, which attacked Mahaling and Chief Minister Chief Minister for remaining busy with celebration of BJP government’s one year in power while people are dying of diarrhoea in Jajpur.
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Prakash Chandra Bal, had earlier confirmed seven deaths due to the water-borne disease.
Officials maintained that there has been a drop in hospital admissions and sid no new areas have been reported affected by cholera. Patients admitted to various community health centres, the district headquarters hospital, and Cuttack Medical College are gradually recovering and returning home, they said.
Director of Public Health Nilakantha Mishra had said on Saturday that 1,516 diarrhoea patients were admitted to various hospitals in the district. Of these, 1,306 have recovered and 210 are still under treatment.
