Bhubaneswar: As the situation caused by diarrhoea outbreak continued to be grim in several areas, the Odisha government on Thursday further intensified containment measures and despatched specialised teams to affected districts.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling held a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to take stock of the situation. The meeting was attended virtually by district collectors of Jajpur, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Kendrapada. Health Secretary Awasthy S was present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the focus was on assessing the situation and implementing robust measures to control the spread of the infection. Despite a decline in cases, the Minister underlined the need for strict vigilance and directed the officials to remain proactive in action.
As part of efforts to check further spread , The state government has deployed specialised teams of experts to Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak to monitor the situation closely. These teams, comprising state and central health officials, are reviewing water purification processes, patient treatment protocols, and data collection mechanisms. The Minister stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination, ensuring that safe drinking water, sanitation, and food safety measures are prioritised to prevent further outbreaks.
Following are among the key measures taken by the government to deal with the situation
1. Water Purification and Testing: The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has completed the purification of most drinking water sources, including tube wells and open wells, with ongoing efforts in remaining areas. Contaminated sources are being sealed, and water samples are tested daily by Jalsathis and Mission Shakti members.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: The government is leveraging Information-Education-Communication (IEC) channels to educate the public. Key messages include boiling water before consumption, using halogen tablets, washing hands with soap, and consuming ORS solutions at the onset of symptoms. Mission Shakti’s women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will lead an eight-week awareness campaign, distribution of IEC materials and organising village-level meetings.
3. Healthcare Coordination: Hospitals, from grassroots-level facilities to medical colleges, are working in tandem to provide timely treatment. Special attention is being given to vulnerable groups, including children, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
4. Food Safety Inspections: Food safety teams are conducting rigorous checks at hotels, roadside eateries, and dhabas to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.
5. Preventive Measures for Festivals: With the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, WATCO officials have been stationed in Puri and nearby municipalities to strengthen cholera prevention efforts.
Meanwhile, three joint teams of experts from the Centre and state have been dispatched to Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak. These teams are monitoring water purification, hospital protocols, and grassroots-level response. They are collaborating with district core committees to plan further actions and provide real-time updates to the Minister.
As a precautionary measuer, summer vacations in Bhadrak and Jajpur have been extended. Anganwadi centres, schools, and colleges are undergoing water tank cleaning and source purification. Mission Shakti SHGs, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff are actively monitoring water purification processes in rural areas.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has engaged Jal Sathis to promote safe drinking water practices, while WATCO’s Managing Director has established a camp office in Byasanagar Municipality to oversee cholera control. In Puri, WATCO’s Director (Operations) is stationed to ensure preventive measures ahead of the Rath Yatra.
Affirming the government’s resolve to ensure public health, the Minister said priority is being given to food and water safety and different departments are operating on a war footing to combat diarrhoea outbreak.
