By TCN News,
Kozhikode: The outbreak of various types of epidemics is literally killing Kerala, and especially Malabar, with the death toll rising to more than 50. Since the serious chikungunya epidemic of 2006-07, various epidemics have been attacking the state especially in the monsoon season. While it has been the southern districts which were mostly affected by the fevers earlier, this time the epidemics have spread to Malabar also.
The epidemic flu is more in Malabar than in the southern districts this year. Rat fever or Leptospirosis has been confirmed in Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram in Malabar as well as Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The Health department has issued extra warning notices in the districts. Four more people died in the state yesterday due to rat fever, in Kasargod, Kannur and Palakkad. Other diseases rattling the state now are Hepatitis B, malaria, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever etc.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Adoor Prakash directed the District Collectors to coordinate different departments for efficient tackling of the epidemics. The decision was taken in the high-level meeting held yesterday in the Kozhikode Collectorate. The direction is to coordinate the health, local self-government, education, social welfare and Adivasi welfare departments.
‘Fever Clinics’ will be opened in necessary places. Measures will be taken to open special wards for those suffering from fever in the Government Medical Colleges, Primary and Community Health Centres and private hospitals. The works of the ‘ASHA’ will be extended to the new areas also. Sanitation Committees in the ward level will be strengthened.
The period from September 20 to October 2 will be observed as ‘cleaning mission’. It will be observed with the cooperation of youth organizations, social organizations and students, etc. Medical camps will be organised in necessary places with the help of the IMA. Doctors will be immediately appointed from the newly published PSC list.
The DMOs have been instructed to submit report on the inadequacy in government Medical Colleges. Intensive Care Unit will be formed in all medical colleges. The cabinet will discuss and decide the compensation amount for those who have died of the deadly fevers.