BHADRAK: Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling reviewed his department’s post-flood preparedness in the deluge-hit Bhadrak at a high-level meeting in the office of the chief district medical officer here on Sunday.
Health officials informed the minister that 16 medical relief centres have been opened in the worst-affected areas of Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Chandabali and Tihidi as part of the emergency response. Besides, eight rapid response teams and 10 mobile health units have been deployed, with health workers conducting continuous house-to-house surveillance.
Adequate stocks of anti-snake venom, bleaching powder, Halazone tablets and oral rehydration solution (ORS) have been maintained at both district and block levels to meet emergency requirements.
Disease surveillance has also been intensified, with 21 rectal swabs and 657 water samples collected so far for monitoring and prevention of water-borne and other communicable diseases.
Mahaling appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district health administration in ensuring uninterrupted essential services, timely medical assistance and effective disease surveillance in the affected areas. He directed that AYUSH medical officers be actively engaged in flood-relief activities and community-level health interventions to strengthen healthcare outreach.
Among others, director of Public Health Dr Rabindranath Mishra and senior district officials attended the meet.
