New Delhi, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Wednesday insisted on focusing on high-burden states and regions where dengue outbreaks are frequently reported and directed officials to set up a 24-hour central helpline at day, 7 days a week for dengue prevention and awareness.
Nadda, who chaired a high-level meeting to review the dengue situation across the country, directed AIIMS and all central government hospitals to have dedicated dengue wards fully equipped with trained staff, medicines and other logistics.
They have also been ordered to create a referral system to optimally utilize their clinical facilities.
Nadda was briefed about the dengue situation across the country and the preparedness of the Health Ministry.
The dengue case fatality rate was reported to have reduced from 3.3 percent in 1996 to 0.1 percent in 2024 as a result of focused, timely and collaborative activities.
Underlining the challenge posed by the onset of monsoon and the threat of increasing number of dengue cases during the rainy season, Nadda stressed the importance of being prepared against dengue.
He urged officials to prepare and strengthen prevention, containment and management measures against dengue.
Nadda urged officials to focus primarily on high-burden states and regions where outbreaks are frequently reported. He asked them to work proactively with states to achieve tangible results in dengue prevention.
He placed special emphasis on the inter-ministerial convergence meeting in which the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), the Ministry of Education, municipal corporations and local self-governments participated to raise awareness about their roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of dengue.
He said the Center has been proactively communicating with states on timely actions for prevention and control of dengue activities.
Several inter-sectoral meetings have been held to sensitize stakeholders and ministries on their role and responsibilities in dengue prevention and control. He reported that these activities will be further strengthened in the coming years.
Highlighting the importance of communication and awareness activities, the Health Minister stated that to sensitize communities about the Aedes mosquito, which generally bites during the day, a mass awareness campaign will be undertaken among schoolchildren and others.
The campaign includes wearing clothing that keeps the body completely covered and keeping various water containers, pots and other containers free of standing water.
A national IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaign will be carried out across the country to create awareness through television, radio, social media and other platforms.
The minister directed officials to create a 24/7 central helpline for dengue prevention and awareness, and support for symptom queries, treatment protocols and help during emergency situations.
States were also advised to operationalize similar helpline numbers.
Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Atul Goel highlighted the need to sensitize municipal bodies in states to prevent dengue outbreaks. He also suggested upgrading refrigerators and tanks in buildings to make them immune to mosquito breeding.
Nadda, who chaired a high-level meeting to review the dengue situation across the country, directed AIIMS and all central government hospitals to have dedicated dengue wards fully equipped with trained staff, medicines and other logistics.
They have also been ordered to create a referral system to optimally utilize their clinical facilities.
Nadda was briefed about the dengue situation across the country and the preparedness of the Health Ministry.
The dengue case fatality rate was reported to have reduced from 3.3 percent in 1996 to 0.1 percent in 2024 as a result of focused, timely and collaborative activities.
Underlining the challenge posed by the onset of monsoon and the threat of increasing number of dengue cases during the rainy season, Nadda stressed the importance of being prepared against dengue.
He urged officials to prepare and strengthen prevention, containment and management measures against dengue.
Nadda urged officials to focus primarily on high-burden states and regions where outbreaks are frequently reported. He asked them to work proactively with states to achieve tangible results in dengue prevention.
He placed special emphasis on the inter-ministerial convergence meeting in which the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), the Ministry of Education, municipal corporations and local self-governments participated to raise awareness about their roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of dengue.
He said the Center has been proactively communicating with states on timely actions for prevention and control of dengue activities.
Several inter-sectoral meetings have been held to sensitize stakeholders and ministries on their role and responsibilities in dengue prevention and control. He reported that these activities will be further strengthened in the coming years.
Highlighting the importance of communication and awareness activities, the Health Minister stated that to sensitize communities about the Aedes mosquito, which generally bites during the day, a mass awareness campaign will be undertaken among schoolchildren and others.
The campaign includes wearing clothing that keeps the body completely covered and keeping various water containers, pots and other containers free of standing water.
A national IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaign will be carried out across the country to create awareness through television, radio, social media and other platforms.
The minister directed officials to create a 24/7 central helpline for dengue prevention and awareness, and support for symptom queries, treatment protocols and help during emergency situations.
States were also advised to operationalize similar helpline numbers.
Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Atul Goel highlighted the need to sensitize municipal bodies in states to prevent dengue outbreaks. He also suggested upgrading refrigerators and tanks in buildings to make them immune to mosquito breeding.
