The Assam Health and Family Welfare Department and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) have decided to intensify coordinated measures to prevent outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and other water-borne diseases in flood-affected areas.
A review meeting, chaired by Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Ashok Singhal at Janata Bhawan, assessed the flood situation and public health concerns in Charaideo and Sivasagar districts.
PHED Minister Krishnendu Paul, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner-Secretary Dr P. Ashok Babu, NHM Assam Mission Director Dr Lakshmanan S and Jal Jeevan Mission Mission Director Kailash Karthik were present. Officials from the district administrations, health departments and PHED of Charaideo and Sivasagar joined the meeting virtually.
With drinking water sources at greater risk of contamination after floods, the meeting stressed ensuring safe water supply, regular water-quality testing and collection of samples from affected areas. Officials were directed to ensure that water supplied through PHED systems remains safe for consumption.
Authorities were also asked to immediately alert residents if any water source is found unfit for use. Awareness drives through ASHA workers, health workers and Jal Mitras will focus on boiling or properly treating drinking water, washing hands with soap before meals and after using toilets, keeping food covered and maintaining cleanliness.
Singhal directed the two departments to work in close coordination under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners. Officials were also instructed to continuously monitor water quality, disease outbreaks and other public-health risks and take prompt action wherever necessary.
