Inter-Sectoral Coordination meeting on prevention and control of vector borne diseases organised

The meeting had the presence of Area MLA cum Minister of Healthcare, Human Services and Information and Public Relations Department Mr.A.K Ghatani as the Chief Guest in the company of CMO (South) Dr. D.S Kerongi, Mission Director NHM Dr. Bimal Rai, Additional Director, NVBDCP, Gangtok Dr.Pramila Giri, MOIC Jorethang CHC Dr. S.N Adhikari, NJMC Chairman Mr. Tika Gurung, SDM Jorethang Mr. T. Denzongpa, BDO Mrs. Baby Mukhia alongside Health Officials, officials of various government departments, NJMC councillors, students and school heads, representatives from NGOs, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, senior and civil society members.

Addressing the event, Chief Guest Mr. A.K Ghatani emphasised the objective of the Health Department in organizing such an event which is to develop awareness on vector borne diseases which affects public health by and large in our society. He raised his concerns over the widespread rise in the number of vector-borne diseases today which is spurred largely by anthropogenic factors and suggested measures to combat and prevent these diseases particularly malaria and dengue fever which cause a significant fraction of the global infectious disease burden in our society today. Further, he strongly urged the stakeholders and the public to work in tandem with the health department in keeping the surroundings of their homes, commercial outlets, eateries, educational establishments, butcher shops and public places dirt-free and take precautionary steps to put off health hazards due to any type of vector borne disease. Speaking to the students, the Minister persuaded the school heads to encourage students of their respective schools to draft essays, poems and similar write-ups on vector borne diseases as he underlined they would serve as an effective method of awareness for the public. Further, on similar lines the Chief Guest also laid emphasis on conducting regular health check-ups for the government appointed sweepers and migrant labourers who are often found to be vulnerable to contracting vector borne diseases to keep a check on prevention an epidemic like situation in the state. In addition, he also announced the State Government’s decision to make it mandatory for food joints and restaurants to have a safai karamchari and informed that soon the Department of Health is going to issue an official notification to all such food establishments concerning the same.  He further urged the health officials, administration, police department, youth and the public to lead by example in striving to make Sikkim a disease free state.

Additional Director, Dr.Pramila Giri presented a power point presentation on National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) which she said was the central nodal agency for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis and Chikungunia in the country. She also explained the objective of NVBDCP which works towards reducing morbidity due to malaria and other such vector borne diseases. She also brought to light medical cases of vector borne diseases in Sikkim and discussed various measures to prevent and control them.

CMO (South) Dr. D.S Kerongi and Mission Director NHM Dr. Bimal Rai also addressed the program where they gave a detailed background of vector borne diseases and how imperative it is for every individual to bring about a behavioral change within oneself so as to work towards controlling and preventing the spread of such diseases among us. 

The program was also addressed by SDM Jorethang Mr. T. Denzongpa where he laid down parameters of growth and development in spheres such as health care and called upon the public to work in cooperation with the administration to make Jorethang and ideal sub-division. Similarly, NJMC Chairman Mr. Tika Gurung who discussed issues like proper garbage management, public awareness, ownership of civil society members and guidelines on proper information, education and communication about vector borne diseases besides also examining the growing menace of drug abuse in a place like Jorethang.