THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a): Prevalence of water-borne, bacterial and parasitic diseases varies from region
to region.
(b): The number of cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year
in respect of cholera, diarrhoea, viral hepatitis, enteric fever, meningococcal meningitis,
leptospirosis including the number of persons who died of them are given disease-wise and
State/U.T.-wise in Annexures I-VI. Filariasis is a non-fatal, chronic disease and regular
reporting of cases under National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is not done.
(c): To check such diseases in the country particularly in rural areas, following steps
have been taken by the government:
(i) National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been launched for providing integrated
comprehensive primary health services, specially to the poor and vulnerable sections of
the society. It also provides an overarching umbrella for various disease prevention and
control programmes.
(ii) For controlling water borne diseases, Ministry of Rural Development has launched Rajiv
Gandhi National Drinking Mission for providing safe drinking water particularly in rural areas.
(iii) ‘Health’ being a State subject, the State Governments work towards spreading awareness
for maintaining general hygiene and cleanliness and providing safe drinking water to general
population.
(iv) At the National level, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) coordinates
laboratory support for outbreak investigations and etiological diagnosis. It also conducts
regular training courses for development of trained manpower. It has also helped develop
guidelines for prevention and control of vector-borne and infectious diseases for guidance
of all concerned.
(d) & (e): The financial assistance to the State to control and create awareness about
these diseases depends upon the requirement.
