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New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha reviews Covid-19 status, monsoon disease preparedness in Telangana
HYDERABAD: Health officials informed Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha during a review meeting on Monday that, based on available data and ongoing research, there is no current danger from Covid-19. They assured the minister that there is no need for panic, as herd immunity has already been achieved across the state and the country. Raja Narasimha convened a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat to assess the Covid-19 situation and preparedness for the prevention and control of seasonal diseases in the state. Subject experts briefed the minister on Covid-19 trends both nationally and globally. They said, according to current data, the situation remains under control and does not pose any significant public health threat. Although some countries have reported a sporadic rise in cases, hospitalisation rates remain negligible. The experts advised that individuals with comorbidities or compromised immunity should exercise caution, though there is no cause for widespread public concern. They further noted that the country has largely achieved herd immunity, which is helping stabilise the situation. Asymptomatic and silent transmissions are occasionally observed but tend to subside without significant impact. Regarding preparedness for seasonal illnesses ahead of the monsoon, the health minister stressed the need for an advanced surveillance system to monitor acute respiratory infections and vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and typhoid. He suggested collaboration with institutions including CCMB, CDFD, NIN-ICMR, AIIMS Bibinagar and NIMS. He directed officials to strengthen seasonal illness preparedness, including sanitation, vector control and district-level coordination, to be undertaken proactively ahead of the monsoon. With agricultural activity increasing during the season, the minister also flagged the potential rise in snake and scorpion bite incidents. He instructed all healthcare facilities, from Primary Health Centres to teaching hospitals, to be equipped with adequate antivenom and supportive medication.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Gearing up for monsoon: Damodar calls for advanced disease surveillance
Hyderabad:As part of measures to improve preparedness for seasonal illnesses in the upcoming monsoon, Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha on Monday directed officials to have an evolved surveillance system across both State and Central institutions for acute respiratory illnesses and vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, typhoid in collaboration with CCMB, CDFD, NIN-ICMR, AIIMS Bibinagar and NIMS. The minister convened a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat to assess the COVID situation and preparedness for prevention and control of seasonal diseases in the State. During the deliberations, the subject-matter experts briefed him on the COVID trends in India and globally. It was informed that, based on existing data and ongoing research, the situation was under control and does not pose any significant public health threat. Though sporadic increases in cases have been reported in some countries, hospitalisation rates remain negligible. It was further emphasised that persons with co-morbidities or compromised immunity should exercise due caution, while there is no cause for general alarm among the public. Experts informed that India has largely achieved herd immunity, which was contributing to stabilisation of the situation. They noted that asymptomatic and silent transmissions are being observed occasionally, but these are subsiding without major impact. The minister stressed that public should rely on the inputs from experts across prominent medical and research institutions and avoid unrest. The minister issued directions to strengthen preparedness for seasonal illnesses, including maintaining sanitation, vector control and district-level coordination for the monsoon should be taken up proactively. As agricultural activity increases during monsoon, there was a potential rise in snake and scorpion-bite incidents. All healthcare facilities from PHCs to teaching hospitals must also be equipped with requisite anti-venom and supportive medication. He reiterated the government commitment to ensure robust public health preparedness and directed all concerned officials to remain vigilant and proactive in implementation of the measures. Health Secretary Christina Z Chongthu, director of CCMB Dr Vinay Nandicoori, AIIMS director Dr Abhishek Aror and others attended the meeting.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana to begin sending COVID-19 samples for genome sequencing
The Telangana government will be ensuring genome sequencing of viral samples to track potential mutations of COVID-19, announced Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha during a high-level review meeting held on Monday, to assess the current pandemic situation and prepare for the upcoming seasonal disease surge. The meeting, attended by senior scientists and officials from institutes such as the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), and AIIMS Bibinagar, was convened to streamline inter-institutional coordination for public health. 'While there is no significant threat from COVID-19 at present, it is essential to maintain vigilance through continued surveillance,' the Minister said. He instructed the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Ravinder B. Nayak, to begin sending samples for genome sequencing to monitor any emerging variants. CCMB Director Dr. Vinay Kumar Nandicoori assured that despite fluctuating global case numbers and a rise in hospitalisations in some countries, the situation in Telangana remains under control. 'Thanks to herd immunity, most people in the state and across India are not experiencing severe symptoms,' he said. Dr. Abhishek Jagdishchander Arora, Head of Radiodiagnosis at AIIMS Bibinagar, added that no fresh advisory has been issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As the state braces for the monsoon season, which typically sees a spike in vector-borne and respiratory illnesses, the Health Minister directed officials to strengthen early prevention mechanisms. He urged routine surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), and directed coordination with institutions like CCMB, CDFD, NIMS, and AIIMS Bibinagar. Rapid response teams will be established in all districts, alongside grassroots-level awareness campaigns in collaboration with the Panchayati Raj and Municipal Departments. The Minister stressed leveraging social media to disseminate accurate health information quickly and widely. Officials have also been asked to identify dengue and malaria hotspots and deploy special teams for public awareness and sanitation drives. With outpatient and inpatient numbers expected to rise during the rainy season, hospitals have been directed to maintain an adequate stock of medicines, diagnostic kits, and medical supplies and ensure patient nutrition and hygiene. Issuing a warning to private hospitals, the Minister said that any attempt to overcharge patients for dengue treatment would invite strict action.
