Ranchi: Almost a week after vector-borne diseases started reaching epidemic proportions in Hindpiri, the health minister on Thursday finally paid a visit to take stock of preventive and curative measures.
Ramchandra Chandravanshi, who was accompanied by health secretary Nidhi Khare, National Health Mission's state director Dr Kripa Nath Jha, civil surgeon Dr Vijay Bihari Prasad and district malaria officer Dr Manju Prasad during his 20-minute tour from noon, stressed that there was no need to panic yet.
"We are making adequate arrangements. Patients are being offered medical attention and steps have been taken to destroy mosquito larvae," he said after inspecting a health camp in Hindpiri's Mallahtoli pocket.
So far, 128 confirmed cases of chikungunya, 22 of dengue and nine of chikungunya-dengue combined have been reported in the area.
Health secretary Khare directed Ward 23 councillor Sajda Khatoon and volunteers of nonprofit Lahu Bolega to pay proper attention to cleanliness at homes.
"Visit every household and tell people not to allow mosquitoes to breed. Utensils must be washed and drained while containers with drinking water must be covered. Accumulation of water should not be allowed anywhere, including in flowerpots," she said.
The councillor said RMC's safai workers were doing a good job. "Drains are being cleaned and larvicides sprayed. Doctors at RIMS are also taking good care of patients admitted there," she said.
Lahu Bolega member Dr Aslam Parwez, who was the first to raise the chikungunya-dengue alarm, demanded that the minister set up a primary health centre in Hindpiri.
"More than one lakh people live here. They all have to depend on Ranchi Sadar Hospital in case of the slightest emergency. A dedicated health centre can offer primary care," Parwez said and was backed by state Congress spokesperson Samsher Alam.
Chandravanshi asked them to find a suitable place where the centre could come up. "We cannot run a health centre out of rented space. If you can find a plot of land, we will plan the facility," he said.
