Holds meeting with CM, Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi, Feb 21, 2015: In his first visit to Uttar Pradesh after taking charge as the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda met the Chief Minister of the state, Sh. Akhilesh Yadav to discuss various health issues and health programmes. In particular, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) cases in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in district of Gorakhpur, Siddarthnagar, Basti, KhushiNagar, Maharajganj etc., were taken up. Also present at the meeting were the State Health Minister and the Chief Secretary. The Union Health Minister was accompanied by senior officials of the state in the meeting.
It may be recalled that every year with the monsoon season these diseases affect a number of children resulting in death and disability. The Government of India is implementing a national programme for prevention and control of AES and JE in five states in 60 highly endemic districts of which 20 districts are in Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister had earlier reviewed the situation in Tamil Nadu and is now visiting Uttar Pradesh. Inter-departmental coordination, monthly review by the District Magistrates, quarterly review by the Chief Secretary, and using forum of public representatives to spread message of consuming boiled drinking water, and use of JE vaccine under routine immunization programme were stressed during the meeting. The Health Minister also emphasized the need for mass drug administration round in 37 districts of 51 remaining endemic district for Lymphatic Filariasis.
The Union Health Minister informed the State Government about “Mission Indradhanush” of the Health Ministry. The Mission depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those children by 2019 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.
The Chief Minister and the Union Minister also reviewed H1N1 situation in Uttar Pradesh. The State Government assured that necessary steps have been taken and stock of medicines, testing facilities, masks etc., are in adequate quantity. The Health Minister offered all central assistance as requested by the state.
In the day the Health Minister will visit the BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, while he will visit Siddarthnagar tomorrow.CCI Newswire
