Bokaro district administration is all set to keep vector- and water-borne diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and dysentery, common during monsoon, at bay.

Bokaro civil surgeon Dr S. Murmu on Tuesday deputed the newly recruited 58 multipurpose staffers to all eight blocks - Gomia, Nawadih, Kasmar, Petarwar, Bermo, Chadrapura, Chas, Chandankiyari - in the district.

The health workers will be posted at primary health centres and oversee prevention and treatment methods, visit block hospitals and provide healthcare facilities at patients' doorsteps.

Dr Murmu also gave directives to doctors, paramedics and allied workers posted in the hinterlands to ensure that people get the best possible healthcare facilities.

The civil surgeon also set up a team of three-four doctors as well as paramedics who will be deployed in each block to provide healthcare services wherever required.

"Medical teams will also keep an eye on primary health centres. They will distribute phone numbers of all the doctors and hospitals to the residents of blocks so that they can inform them about any exigency," said Murmu.

The civil surgeon added that from June 15 to September 30, they would spray DDT powder and distribute necessary medicines to keep away malaria, gastro-enteritis, diarrhoea and jaundice.

"We will also conduct a cleanliness drive to create awareness among people about these diseases," he said.

In response, district malaria officer Anil Poddar said they had already started distributing free medicines in hilly and forest areas of some blocks from June 1.

Dr Murmu also promised strict action against doctors if found absent from duty.

"Doctors in the hinterland need to be present even during odd hours to deal with emergencies. We will conduct surprise inspections to find out if doctors and health staff are doing their duty properly," said Murmu.

Complaints of government doctors playing truant are rife in the region.

Many doctors posted in remote areas don't stay on duty, deepening the staff crunch crisis at grassroots health centres. Last week Gomia MLA Yogendra Mahto and former Gomia MLA Madhowlal Singh had separately written letters to the Bokaro civil surgeon complaining how most doctors did the disappearing act.

Bokaro DC R.M. Ray said the civil surgeon had been asked to stay vigilant about the attendance of doctors and health staff.