Shri J P Nadda holds high level review meeting on Dengue in Delhi and NCR assures all support of Central Government

New Delhi, July 13, 2016: Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare chaired a high level meeting to review the preparedness of the Delhi administration and other stakeholders in prevention and control of Dengue in Delhi and the NCR, here today. Ministers of State (Health) Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste and Smt. Anupriya Patel were also present during the meeting along with Health Minister of Delhi Shri Satyender Jain, Mayors of the Delhi Corporations and senior offers of the Union Health Ministry and Delhi Government, officials from National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Medical Superintendents of Central Government hospitals such as AIIMS, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Safdurjung, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), CPWD etc.

Taking stock of the situation, Shri Nadda was briefed on the ongoing preparations of the Health Ministry. Shri Nadda said that the Government has taken all necessary steps to prevent and combat dengue in the upcoming monsoon season. He stated the Ministry has already issued various advisories to the State Governments for its prevention and control. The Health Minister informed that in addition to 33 surveillance labs, 2 apex labs with advanced diagnostic facilities are adequately equipped to undertake Dengue tests. He further said that all State Governments have been advised to ensure price capping on dengue testing.

Shri Nadda stated that the Union Health Ministry has already provided all logistical and technical support to the Delhi Government in terms of surveillance and diagnostic kits to strengthen their efforts. The Health Minister was informed that adequate number of beds is earmarked for Dengue patients in the Central Government hospitals. Apart from this, testing kits were also reported to be present in adequate numbers. He assured all necessary support to the Delhi Government for prevention and management of Dengue. Noting that community participation and empowerment are the most crucial areas in Dengue prevention, Shri Nadda urged all the stakeholders to start rigorous awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by people and communities. He highlighted the importance of creating awareness about the measures to be taken by families and communities to prevent dengue. The Minister directed the MS of all Central Government Hospitals to ensure that their premises are free of dengue mosquitoes.

Shri B P Sharma, Secretary (Health); Shri K B Agarwal, AS (Health) and senior officials from the health Ministry were also present in the meeting.