Latest news with #Mahaling


Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt directs dist admins to check spread of waterborne diseases ahead of Rath
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt on Tuesday directed all district administrations to implement stringent measures to prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra festival, where large gatherings are expected across the state. Health minister Mukesh Mahaling said that the govt has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign alongside strict enforcement actions against contaminated food and water sources. "We are making coordinated and sustained efforts to stop the spread of the disease," Mahaling said. Health secretary S Aswathy said approximately 10% of tested samples in the worst-hit Jajpur district have shown positive results for vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. However, she noted an encouraging trend in recent days. "New patients reporting to hospitals are showing mild symptoms, indicating that our awareness initiatives are yielding results and people are seeking early medical intervention," she explained. In response to the health concerns, municipal authorities in major cities, including Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, have intensified inspections of food establishments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 모기, 벌레, 해충 자동으로 쫓는다 앱스토리몰 더 알아보기 Undo Several raids have been conducted to ensure food safety compliance and prevent the sale of contaminated items. The National Health Mission (NHM) deployed additional doctors and mobile health teams in Jajpur to tackle and the situation. Eight medicine specialists and over 20 mobile health teams have been deployed in the affected areas of the district. With the new deployment, there are now 40 NHM mobile health teams operating in the district. Additionally, 45 mobile health camps have been organized in these areas, a govt statement said. Furthermore, awareness messages are being broadcast via microphones at the ward level in villages and urban areas, independent information about diarrhoea is being provided on health walls, ORS and zinc corners are being set up at health facilities, and awareness and precautionary messages are being spread through independent meetings of village welfare committees. Regular disinfection of various water sources is also being carried out extensively at the field level. To expand awareness programmes, NHM has also deployed 10 mobile awareness vans (IEC vans). Additional doctors, medical assistants, medicines and awareness pamphlets have also been sent to other affected regions and field-level awareness programs have been intensified, the govt statement said. Four state-level teams have been dispatched to oversee field-level implementation. These teams are composed of senior officials, specialists and advisors from the health and family welfare department. They will visit areas such as Bhuban, Banki, Dharmasala, Barachana and Bhandaripokhari to monitor field-level efforts and strengthen coordination among various departmental teams working on the ground. The focus is on water source purification, door-to-door campaigns, early identification and primary treatment of diarrhoea patients, distribution of medicines and halogen tablets and public awareness programmes, providing necessary guidance and assistance to make these initiatives more targeted, the govt statement said.


Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
‘Diarrhoea eradication' campaign launched in Bhuban
Dhenkanal: Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling launched 'Diarrhoea eradication' campaign at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district on Monday. The campaign will continue for 45 days and will promote awareness and steps taken to check diarrhoea in the district. Mahaling urged the people to take preventive measures to minimise the cases of diarrhoea. Locals should not take contaminated water and also should stop taking food from fast food stalls, he said. Mahaling visited the local hospital and Kamakshyanagar sub-divisional hospital and met the affected patients. He reviewed measures taken by Bhuban hospital and district administration to control the disease. According to reports, the number of patients affected with diarrhoea has increased to 63 from 42. Some patients were discharged from hospital. Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay briefed the Health Minister about steps taken by the health administration in controlling the disease. The Health administration has launched Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign in every ward of Bhuban NAC. Dhenkanal MP Rudra Narayan Pany, Parjang MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, Kamakshyanagar MLA Satrughan Jena and Hindol MLA Simarani Nayak were present at the meeting in Bhuban .


Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
State launches awareness campaign to control diarrhoea outbreak
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Monday visited the community health centre (CHC) at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district to meet diarrhoea patients and assess the situation. He also launched a state-wide awareness campaign at the CHC to contain the outbreak with 2,000 diarrhoea and cholera cases reported from Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Cuttack districts. While 17 unofficial deaths have been reported from Jajpur (14), Keonjhar (2) and Kendrapada (1) districts, the govt has confirmed five casualties and is reviewing another five. "Diarrhoea is a waterborne disease prevalent during monsoon. State govt is taking all necessary measures for the prevention and control of the disease. Comprehensive awareness programmes are being conducted along with improved healthcare, essential equipment, medicines and infrastructure. The campaign will run until July 31," said Mahaling. In an official statement, the health department said extensive health awareness and integrated efforts are being made to combat diarrhoea. Practices such as hand washing, maintaining hygiene, eating balanced meals, drinking safe water, keeping water sources clean, and avoiding open defecation can significantly prevent diarrhoea. Through awareness and caution, individuals can stay healthy and keep their families and neighbours safe, it added. As part of the campaign, adequate stocks of ORS packets, zinc tablets and medicines would be maintained at all anganwadi centres, health sub-centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Health and anganwadi workers, ANMs, and multi-purpose health workers in rural and urban areas would be trained to identify and manage diarrhoea from the initial stages, the statement said. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) teams from Jagatsinghpur and Khurda districts have been sent to Jajpur district to assist the health workers. Mahaling advised the public to follow the advice of health workers and doctors and seek medical treatment at health centres if they experience diarrhoea. He also visited the Kamakhyanagar sub-divisional hospital to review the situation with local representatives. Central teams, who visited Jajpur district to study the situation, returned to Bhubaneswar and attended a review meeting with health officials. They recommended several steps to control the cholera and diarrhoea situation. "Cholera was detected in stool tests. The state health team is taking necessary steps. They are also analysing the diarrhoeacases every day," said Dr Bhagirathi Dwivedi, a central team member. Another team member, Dr Shibani Lahiri, said diarrhoea is in an endemic stage and there is a little surge in cases. Health secretary Aswathy S said disinfection of drinking water sources will be done across the state as monsoon has already arrived. "We are taking all required steps to combat the situation," she added. She visited various areas of Jajpur district to conduct field-level monitoring and review the diarrhoea management programme. A review meeting with district administration primarily focused on the admission, immediate treatment, and recovery of diarrhoea patients. She instructed that each diarrhoea case be mapped, and emphasised necessary treatment for admitted patients and their discharge from hospital only after full recovery.


Time of India
09-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No immediate Covid-related curbs on Rath Yatra: Health min
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Amid a fresh surge in Covid cases across the country, the state govt on Monday indicated that the upcoming Rath Yatra on June 27 in Puri, expected to attract lakhs of devotees, faces no immediate restriction on public participation. After a high-level Rath Yatra preparatory meeting in Puri, health minister Mukesh Mahaling said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will follow the central govt's protocols as required. Mahaling assured that the govt is well-prepared for the grand festival. "We are continuously monitoring the Covid situation and as of now, there are no alarming indicators that would affect Rath Yatra celebrations. There is no need to panic," Mahaling said, adding that the latest Covid sub-variants are 'weak'. The announcement came as a relief to devotees after the grand festival was conducted without public participation in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. According to the minister, Covid situation is under control in Odisha. The state has so far recorded 49 Covid cases in the latest wave with the count of active cases currently at 37. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is How Much New Windows Should Cost In Florida Storm Through Windows Learn More Undo "While there are no restrictions currently, the govt will remain vigilant and adapt to any changes in the Covid situation," Mahaling added. "We will strictly follow any protocols advised by the central govt. The safety of devotees remains our top priority. We urge devotees to take basic health precautions during the festival," Mahaling said, adding that people with underlying health issues should stay away from crowded places. He further said, "Our preparation involves comprehensive healthcare facilities and emergency response systems for devotees. At least 300 doctors will be on stand-by in Puri from Rath Yatra on June 27 to Bahuda Yatra on July 5. Adequate number of temporary ICUs and heatstroke wards will be set up at the Puri district headquarters hospital." Local health officials have confirmed that medical teams will be stationed along the Grand Road where the chariot procession takes place. "We will have multiple medical kiosks, ambulances and healthcare professionals ready to address any emergencies," the minister said. Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that about 80% of Rath Yatra preparations is complete, expressing hope that the remaining work will be finished before the festival. He said that the progress of the work is being reviewed by ministers of departments concerned. "We are hopeful that the Lord's blessings and coordination of all departments, servitors and Puri locals will result in an incident-free Rath Yatra," the law minister said.


Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Odisha aligns with national goal to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026: Mukesh Mahaling
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening public health and safeguarding future generations, Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling has launched a comprehensive set of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at accelerating the Measles and Rubella (MR) elimination programme in the state. The launch was held at the Directorate of Public Health as part of the celebrations for World Immunisation Week 2025 , observed globally from April 24-30 under the theme: "Immunisation for all is humanly possible." Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Mahaling reaffirmed Odisha's commitment to eliminating Measles and Rubella by the year 2026 -- in alignment with India's national target. Highlighting Odisha's "outstanding performance" in child healthcare, Mahaling proudly shared that the State has achieved a remarkable 90.5 per cent full immunisation coverage, the highest among all Indian states, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). This milestone is a testament to the dedication of healthcare workers, community support, and strong inter-departmental coordination, he said. "Immunising children and pregnant women remains our topmost priority," said Mahaling. "It is the most cost-effective and life-saving public health intervention. Together, we must ensure no child is left behind," he added. The Minister emphasised that the success of the MR elimination mission depends on a collaborative approach involving multiple government departments such as Health & Family Welfare, Women & Child Development, School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Housing & Urban Development, and Information & Public Relations. Their joint efforts are being strengthened at the state, district, and block levels. He further appealed for the active participation of parents, caregivers, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PRI members, community leaders, NGOS, SHGS, and civil society to create a grassroots movement for immunisation awareness and action. Let us unite as one community, he urged, to make Odisha a Measles-Rubella free state -- a shining model of public health excellence for the entire nation. The event also paid tribute to India's immunisation triumphs, including the eradication of smallpox in 1977, the country's Polio-free status since 2014, and the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. Director of Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra, State Immunisation Officer Dr. Tapas Kumar Patra, and Binod Bihari Das, Private Secretary to the Health Minister, along with senior officers from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, were present at the launching ceremony.