Jaundice, malaria wreak havoc in Longding Govt. sounds red alert ITANAGAR, Nov 27: Severe outbreak of malaria and jaundice has wreaked havoc in Longding district. So far, atleast 128 people have reportedly died of suspected malaria, jaundice and typhoid in upper Wancho area of Longding Pumaow and Pongchau circles, claimed former minister Anok Wangsa. Wangsa met Health Minister Atum Welly yesterday to apprise him of the grave situation and requested him to send medical team with sufficient medicines to contain the situation. Meanwhile, the State Government has sounded alert in Longding district following reports of ‘few deaths’ allegedly due to water-borne diseases. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki convened a high level meeting at his offices here this morning attended by Health Minister Atum Welly, Legislator Honchum Ngandam, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Director General of Police, Health Secretary, Director Health, PHED Chief Engineer (East), PHED Executive Engineer Khonsa, Political Secretary to CM Bamang Tago and OSD to CM Dr Hatobin Mai. The meeting assessed the situation and chalked out a strategy to oversee and implement precautionary measures immediately. DC and DMO of the district have been directed to strictly monitor the situation and deal it with utmost urgency. The Directorate of Health Services, on receipt of the information last week, had immediately swung into action and dispatched a consignment of medicines to the district. A water quality testing team has already left Khonsa for Longding with kits and medicines. DMO Khonsa has also been directed to depute a medical team to Longding immediately. A medical team of Specialists from General Hospital Pasighat, Dr J Gebi and Dr T Siram along with paramedics have been detailed to take fresh stocks of medicines to the district and render treatment to the affected people. Health Jt Director (Malaria) Dr Hage Taki, SPO (NVBDCP), has been directed to move immediately to Longding with laboratory experts. A medical team from the Arunachal State Hospital has also been directed to visit the affected places. The Chief Minister has also ordered coordination with the Civil Aviation department to arrange evacuation of affected people by helicopter in cases demanding emergency. The Health Minister and officials of Health Department will visit the affected places soon. Tuki has appealed the people to remain calm and avoid rumour. “If affected report immediately to the nearest medical center and undergo treatment. Others need to take extreme precautionary measures and avoid use of contaminated water,” he appealed to the people. As reported by DMO Longding, Dr Lowang, there were only 14 cases of death in the vicinity of Kannu. The deaths of about 100 as reported by people were of cumulative nature spread across several months due to various factors including old-age, injury, endemic malaria, etc. The Chief Minister directed the district administration and Health Department to aggressively launch awareness campaigns on water-borne diseases in the district and equip the villagers with know-how on water testing and other precautionary measures. He also assured posting of regular doctors along with para-medics in all affected areas as necessary. DIPRO adds from Khonsa: Meanwhile, local MLA Thangwang Wangham, who is stationed at Longding, is closely monitoring the situation. He informed that the situation was alarming as there has been no respite from the diseases in spite of best effort by the medical team to stop the killer diseases from further spreading. Meanwhile, Wangham, in an emergency meeting attended by Longding Deputy Commissioner, PRI leaders, women leaders, HoDs, DMO, NGOs and Wancho youth leaders, informed that the situation was alarming and asked all the participants to be in readiness and be alert for any eventualities. He suggested that teams be sent to all the villages to assess the situation and provide relief and medicines accordingly. He also said that the cause of deaths may be Dengue but has to be ascertained by medical experts. Earlier, Wangham sent SOS to the state government seeking more help to contain the outbreak of the disease and treat the victims efficiently. The Deputy Commissioner and other members present in the meeting assured their full co-operation and vowed to fight the outbreak in united. The meeting constituted teams which would visit the affected villages and send reports to the district administration. The Tirap DMO and his team are also rendering their services by visiting the affected areas. Source: Arunachal Times
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:43:33 +0000
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