Punjab Health Minister Urges Public to Eliminate Water Stagnation Ahead of Rainy Season

Punjab Health Minister Urges Public to Eliminate Water Stagnation Ahead of Rainy Season

Chandigarh, June 19, 2024:** With the rainy season approaching, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has urged citizens to eliminate all potential water-stagnation points to combat vector-borne and water-borne diseases. In a meeting of the state task force, Dr. Singh discussed strategies to prevent outbreaks of diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis, and Kala Azar.

Dr. Singh emphasized focusing on identified disease hotspots and educating residents about maintaining clean surroundings. He appealed to the public to regularly check and clean coolers, containers, pots, and terraces to prevent water accumulation. He highlighted that mosquitoes can mature from egg to adult in just one week, making vigilant cleaning essential.

The Health Minister directed officials to enhance fogging operations in both urban and rural areas and involve the general public, students, and NGOs in monitoring mosquito larvae. He also proposed utilizing the 829 Aam Aadmi Clinics, which see over 50,000 daily visitors, to spread awareness about dengue prevention through trained staff and informative pamphlets.

Additionally, Dr. Singh reviewed ongoing health department projects, including the Aam Aadmi Clinics and the Farishtey Scheme. Key officials present included Principal Secretary Health Ajoy Sharma, MD National Health Mission Dr. Abhinav Trikha, Punjab Development Commission Member Anurag Kundu, and Additional Secretary Medical Education and Research Rahul Gupta.

**Preventive Measures:**

– Clean coolers weekly and keep them dry for a day
– Avoid keeping containers like flower pots, broken items, and tires on rooftops to prevent water stagnation
– Detect and eliminate all mosquito-breeding sources
– Spray insecticides in and around the house
– Keep doors and windows open when fogging teams are outside
– Report to a health dispensary immediately in case of fever
– Avoid using Ibuprofen/Aspirin for fever; use paracetamol instead

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