Latest news with #AswathyS
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
No ray of hope for patients as official machinations stall BMT at Odisha's SCB MCH
Meanwhile, the state health administration seems to be engaged in what appears to be an elaborate ploy of delay and diversion. On July 11, when the Orissa High Court took note of a TNIE news report on the situation of BMT at SCB MCH, state Health secretary Aswathy S, appearing virtually, assured that steps are being taken to restart the procedure immediately under the supervision of a retired faculty of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Dr PK Das. One associate professor and two assistant professors of the clinical haematology department are technically qualified to conduct the bone marrow transplant and will be mentored by Dr Das to restart BMT, she told the court. But the plan has not moved an inch since. And, here lies the catch: BMT is not a short-term skill, it requires at least a year of intensive hands-on training under strict international protocols. What is worse and contrary to the submissions of the Health secretary in the high court is the SCB MCH's admission that none of the faculty members of the haematology department including the above three possess any formal training, experience, or certification in BMT procedure. Citing this, the SCB MCH superintendent has written to the DMET seeking facilitation of training process including selection of institute and finances. However, sources said, 'Restarting BMT on the basis of fresh training will take a minimum of one year, possibly more. By then, many more Saritas will be lost.' Meanwhile, Health minister Mukesh Mahaling and the Health secretary also do not seem to be on the same page. Despite the minister, in a recent note to the secretary, directing expeditious steps for re-engagement of Prof Jena in the larger interest of patients, patient care and haematology students, no action has been forthcoming. As per usual practice, a professor after retirement is re-engaged on contractual basis for at least a period of four years till he attains 70. In case of Prof Jena, the Health department relieved him after just one year in March this year. Health secretary Aswathy S did not respond to calls and messages from TNIE for her comments on the issue.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Statewide disinfection & cleanliness drive to prevent water & vector-borne diseases
1 2 Bhubaneswar: In a bid to prevent diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases, state govt launched a weeklong special disinfection and cleanliness drive on Friday, covering 12,155 villages and hamlets on the first day. Food safety teams inspected 59 bottling plants and 1,802 eateries/restaurants on Friday and imposed fines of Rs 2.22 lakh on violators. So far, 22 bottling plants and 24 hotels/restaurants in the state have been sealed during the enforcement drive, the health and family welfare department said in an official statement on Saturday. The drive, being carried out by the health and family welfare and panchayati raj and drinking water departments, will continue up to July 11, covering all villages, health facilities, public places, drinking water sources and small water bodies used by people. For the drive, 18 special teams comprising senior officers have been constituted. "The teams are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring ground-level implementation and real-time monitoring of the drive. Each officer is assigned two districts for field-level monitoring and supportive supervision," said the statement. The teams are also overseeing and guiding activities related to combating acute diarrhoeal disease, malaria and dengue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo All teams are moving in their assigned districts with a specially designed checklist-based approach to ensure uniformity and accountability in public health interventions, official sources said. On the first day, around 55,009 tube wells, 77,334 dug wells, 98,009 piped water supply sources, 4,823 overhead tanks/water sumps, and 1,120 other water sources like ponds/streams were disinfected. Deep cleaning was done in 4,436 health facilities, 10,251 sample tests conducted to determine the water quality, and over 5.18 lakh ORS packets along with 7.47 lakh halazone tablets were distributed on Friday. Food safety teams also seized 2.87 quintals of stale food on Friday. Till July 4, around Rs 18 lakh in fines has been collected from violators. Panchayati raj institution (PRI) members, villagers, community leaders and ground-level volunteers have been actively involved in the drive aimed at safeguarding public health and preventing seasonal water and vector-borne diseases, official sources said. Health secretary Aswathy S and panchayati raj secretary Girish S N urged the field-level officials to ensure 100% disinfection/cleanliness by July 11.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Disinfection drive from today to check disease spread
Bhubaneswar: With over 190 active diarrhoea cases under treatment and strict vigilance on the rising dengue and malaria situation, the state govt on Thursday announced a special disinfection drive to curb the spread of water-borne and vector-borne diseases. The drive, a joint effort of the health and family welfare department and the panchayati raj and drinking water department, will be carried out in two phases on July 4 and July 11. A detailed action plan was finalised at a high-level meeting chaired by Health Secretary Aswathy S. "During the campaign, super chlorination of drinking water sources, and proper cleaning and disinfection of health facilities, educational institutions, marketplaces, and other public places will be undertaken," said the health and family welfare department in an official statement. Village and household-level awareness campaigns will be conducted through ASHA and ANM workers. They will demonstrate the use of halazone tablets, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), handwashing, and other hygienic practices. Food safety officers have been directed to intensify inspections of bottling plants, eateries, and hotels, ensure strict adherence to food safety standard operating procedures, and take immediate corrective action, including financial penalties if required. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Em 2025 o preço deste alarme está a conquistar milhares de portugueses Securitas Direct Alarme Solicite orçamento Undo Chief district medical and public health officers (CDMPHOs) have been asked to tour affected areas during the drive days to ensure on-ground action. They will deploy the state's 377 rapid response teams to affected pockets for immediate intervention and monitoring, an official from the health department said. The health department has also asked CDMPHOs to maintain adequate stock of anti-venom for snake bites in govt hospitals and ensure the placement of MBBS doctors, especially in flood-prone areas. Emphasis has been laid on intensifying laboratory surveillance, increasing the collection and testing of samples, and strict adherence to daily, weekly, and quarterly monitoring protocols. Senior officers and state-level teams will visit affected areas for close monitoring and supervision of field-level activities. "Strict vigilance is being kept on the dengue and malaria situation," said Nilakantha Mishra, the state's director of public health.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Contaminated water behind diarrhoea, cholera outbreaks in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: The Central health team visiting Odisha has confirmed that contaminated water is the primary cause of recent diarrhoea and cholera outbreaks in the state. The team shared its findings during a review meeting with state officials here on Wednesday. With three more deaths including two in Jajpur and one in Balasore in last 24 hours, the outbreaks have claimed 24 lives and affected over 2,500 people across nine districts. The health authorities, however, put the official death toll at 11. Following a detailed assessment at the affected areas, the visiting 10-member health team and four-member food safety panel concluded that the cholera outbreak in Jajpur district stemmed mainly from consumption of contaminated water and food. Water samples collected from various areas tested positive for E. coli contamination, indicating widespread microbial pollution in the district. At least 10 water samples collected in the first phase were found to be E. Coli positive. Similarly, 16 out of 37 faecal samples tested positive for Vibrio cholerae. The district continues to see new cases, with 37 fresh admissions reported on the day. However, signs of improvement are emerging, as the infection rate has dropped and only 196 people are currently under treatment. The Central team held separate discussions with the officials of Health, PR&DW and H&UD departments and advised them to take immediate steps to ensure availability of safe drinking water in the affected districts. Chief secretary Manoj Ahuja reviewed the situation and asked officials to ensure purification of drinking water distribution points in several districts. Health secretary Aswathy S who reviewed the situation, said a doctor has been suspended for advising a senior citizen to purchase medicine from outside, despite its availability at hospital pharmacy free of cost. The Health department has formed special teams that will visit Cuttack, Jajpur, and Bhadrak districts on Thursday. The rapid action teams deployed in the affected districts have been instructed to take action as per the recommendations of the Central team.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Odisha: 21 dead, over 1,700 sick from diarrhoea, cholera outbreak
The Odisha government on Tuesday put all 30 districts on high alert and intensified containment measures as the death toll from diarrhoea and cholera outbreak rose to 21, with over 1,700 falling sick in at least 7 districts. While over 1,300 people of the 1,700 infected have recovered, state health secretary Aswathy S said the government is not taking any chances and ensuring that disinfection of drinking water sources continues across the state. 'We're in constant touch with a central team, which maintains that the outbreak does not yet qualify as an epidemic. But we are taking no chances and disinfecting all water sources, including in the 25 districts not currently identified as hotspots. A door-to-door awareness campaign by ASHA and Anganwadi workers is also underway in rural areas and will remain active for the next seven days,' Aswathy said. Health officials said of the total samples tested, cholera bacteria (Vibrio cholerae) was found in 10% of the samples, with most of the cholera cases reported from Jajpur district where the outbreak began soon after people attended a wedding ceremony where over 2,500 had dinner. In Jajpur, the district administration has ordered closure of eateries and hotels in the worst-affected areas of the district for two weeks as a preventive measure and closed ice-cream factories, packaged water units besides fish and chicken outlets during the period. The officials also urged residents to refrain from attending or organising mass gatherings such as weddings, birthday parties, or community feasts. People were advised to avoid stale food, consume only freshly-cooked meals, and drink boiled water. The use of halogen tablets and bleaching powder for water purification was also recommended. A 14-member central team has been in Odisha since Sunday to assess the situation on the ground. The team is visiting affected areas to strengthen coordination among various departmental teams and ensure effective implementation of diarrhoea control measures. 'There is no cholera outbreak in Jajpur district, it is endemic with just a little surge in cases. We have seen an outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases. We have given suggestions to the state on water safety, food safety, maintenance of personal hygiene and awareness creation,' said Shibani Lahiri, a member of the central team. Odisha last saw a cholera outbreak in December 2023 in Rourkela town where 11 people died and more than 1,800 people were hospitalised. Similarly, in Rayagada district, an outbreak was reported between July and November 2022, with 10 deaths and 414 cases. Cholera has consistently made its presence known in Odisha over the past two and a half decades, making it a significant public health issue, particularly affecting the lower socio-economic groups in the southern regions of Odisha. Between 2011 and 2020, Odisha had 19 outbreaks of cholera. Districts such as Rayagada, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Nuapada are particularly susceptible, making cholera a prominent and pressing concern for public health authorities in the region.
