(a) whether the Urban slums are being hit by various communicable diseases particularly in Monsoon season such as malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, kala-azar, gastro-enteritis;
(b) if so, whether various Governments have requested for formulation of Comprehensive policy for Urban health case;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures taken by the Union Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) to (d) Yes, Sir. Urban slums are prone to Malaria, Dengue etc. particularly during monsoon. However, a decline in the trend of Malaria and Dengue incidence has been registered during the last 3 years in the metro-cities through efforts for effective prevention and control of the diseases.
For control of Malaria including Dengue, National Anti Malaria, National Anti Malaria Programme (NAMP) has been in operation in the country as a Category-II Centrally sponsored Scheme Urban Malaria Scheme under NAMP envisages adoption of the following strategies for malaria control in the urban towns sanctioned under the scheme:-
1. To provide treatment to patients through passive surveillance institutions such as hospitals, dispensaries and malaria clinics.
2. Recurrent anti-larval measures through larvicides like temephos in towns
3. Minor engineering methods like deweeding etc.
4. Biological control using larvivorous fish
5. Awareness campaigns such as the observance of anti malaria month in June every year
Larvicides(excluding Mosquito Iarvicidal Oil(MLO) and Pyrethrum Extract 2% are supplied to the States by the Centre under Urban Malaria Scheme. The entire operational cost and the cost of MLO and equipment are borne by the States.
Steps taken to control Gastro-enteritis and Leptospirosis inter-alia are:-
Gastro-enteritis:
- Lifting of water samples for testing
- Surveillance of affected areas
- Distribution of Chlorine Tablets
- Distribution of ORS packets
- Imparting of Health Education to the community through Handbills, posters, group discussion, Media etc.
- Mobile clinics to treat the poor in under served areas.
Leptospirosis:
- Guidelines indicating nature of the disease, its prevention and control have been circulated to all States.
- Doctors have been sensitized to maintain high degree of vigilance in order to send suspected cases for laboratory confirmation.
- States have undertaken intensive containment measures like (a) anti-rodent activities; (b) cleanliness drives; (c) house to house surveys; and (d) anti-vector measures.