THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister V S Sivakumar has asked health officials to prepare a special project to prevent the outbreak of epidemics during the monsoon season. The Minister was addressing a meeting of health officials at the NRHM Hall, General Hospital, here the other day. The rate of epidemic outbreaks this year is higher compared to last year. In many places including Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the civic authorities are facing problems in the disposal of garbage.
Although the State Government is taking steps to address the latter issue, health officials should be prepared to prevent epidemics during the rainy season, Sivakumar said. He also gave instructions to ensure that the service of health inspectors is made available in the health sector itself. Health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan, director of health services P K Jameela, and DMOs were present on the occasion.
The meeting had special significance for Thiruvananthapuram as garbage collection from households had stopped in December following the closure of the Vilappilsala plant. Trash dumps have sprung up across the city, posing serious health hazards especially during the rainy season.
However, the Corporation and the State Government have been unable to sort out the issue.