The department of health and family welfare, Punjab, in co-operation with the department of community medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), conducted a workshop on involvement of medical colleges in implementation of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Vijay Sharma, deputy director (malaria), directorate of health and family welfare, Punjab, said in view of impending malaria and dengue fever season, the state health services would be strengthening surveillance activities for vector-borne diseases, particularly malaria and dengue, which would likely to pose serious health problems to the people of Punjab. He emphasised on the need of medical colleges in Punjab to contribute their expertise in this effort.
Dr Subhash Batta, Ludhiana civil surgeon, appraised the gathering of the measures being taken by the district health services for control and prevention of vector diseases in cooperation with medical colleges. He appreciated the role of CMCH in taking the lead in this effort.
Dr Kanwal Masih, CMCH medical superintendent, assured the government health services of CMC's participation and cooperation in meeting this challenge in the interest of the health of the people of Ludhiana.
Dr Puneet Juneja, district epidemiologist, outlined the activities under NVBDCP and a situational analysis of malaria and dengue in the district. He emphasised on the need for notification of these diseases by treating doctors and health facilities to the district health authorities so that timely and effective control and preventive measures may be initiated.
Many doctors from CMCH participated in the workshop and contributed their expertise for the prevention and control of malaria and dengue.
Dr Puneet Juneja, district epidemiologist, outlined the activities under NVBDCP and a situational analysis of malaria and dengue in the district. He emphasised on the need for notification of these diseases by treating doctors and health facilities to the district health authorities so that timely and effective control and preventive measures may be initiated.
Many doctors from CMCH participated in the workshop and contributed their expertise for the prevention and control of malaria and dengue.
Dr Aroma Oberoi, professor and head of microbiology at CMCH, discussed issues related to the laboratory diagnosis of malaria and dengue, while Dr Mary John, professor and head of medicine, discussed the treatment of the diseases.
Dr Paramita Sengupta, professor of community medicine and nodal officer of NVBDCP, emphasised on the role of health education of the public to motivate and encourage them to adopt preventive measures against mosquitoes that were the vectors of these diseases.
Preventive measures like insecticide spraying or fogging around the houses, ensuring that there is no water collection around the house like in coolers, broken bottles, old tyres, tins etc, personal protective measures like use of mosquito repellants and bed-nets go a long way in preventing mosquito-borne diseases.