GUWAHATI: Assam’s Health Department has intensified disease surveillance and preventive healthcare measures in flood-affected areas, with 3,103 medical camps providing free treatment and medicines to 2,06,442 people so far.
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Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Tuesday, August 11, Health Minister Ashok Singhal said the department is focusing on disease surveillance, safe drinking water, sanitation, cleanliness and the prevention of vector-borne diseases while continuing medical services in affected areas.
On August 10 alone, 116 medical teams were deployed across 60 camps, providing healthcare services to 2,736 patients.
In Charaideo and Sivasagar, 11 Mega Health Camps were organised between August 5 and 9 across five Assembly constituencies. Specialist doctors from Dibrugarh and Jorhat Medical Colleges provided services in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, dentistry, ophthalmology, ENT and mental health. A total of 14,209 patients received specialist care through these camps.
The department has identified 387 pregnant women, 462 mothers, 590 children below one year and 1,627 children aged between one and five years in relief camps. Regular health check-ups, nutritional support and healthcare services are being provided to these vulnerable groups.
To prevent diarrhoeal diseases, the state has more than 90 lakh packets of ORS and over 48 lakh packets of zinc tablets in stock.
Meanwhile, 511 water samples have been tested at IDSP laboratories. Contaminated sources were disinfected and reopened only after tests confirmed the water was safe for consumption.
For mosquito-borne disease control, 194 fogging teams have been deployed in flood-affected areas. The department has also disposed of 359 dead livestock following prescribed safety protocols.
A 24×7 State Health Emergency Operation Centre has been established in Guwahati to respond to emergencies. The department has also kept Tele-MANAS services active for mental health support. In case of an emergency, people can contact 93958-82990 or 0361-2915007.
The Health Department has urged people to consume purified or boiled water, maintain hygiene, store food safely and seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting or skin infections.