Open Fever Treatment Depots in areas inhabited by migrant workers, Khader tells officials

He was chairing a review meet with regard to control of vector borne diseases in the district at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangalore on Saturday.

The issue of migrant labourers' health was raised by Abhayachandra Jain, State Fisheries Minister and Moodbidri MLA, when he pointed out that migrant labourers working for MRPL and other construction sites in the district have been living in huts with absolutely no healthcare facility and maintenance of hygiene around their surroundings.

Madan Mohan, State Health and Family Welfare Secretary, asked the official concerned as to why the concept of FTDs was not being put to use to address the health issues of migrant labourers. There is provision for setting up of FTDs in areas where labourers live where all their health issues could be addressed at a primary level including blood testing which helps detect diseases. The officials concerned can depute medical officers and lab technicians to each of such FTDs which could be housed in a Panchayat building, school, shed, or any convenient place.

Addressing issues relating to health of labourers and people coming to the district from other states is important as many a time, they become carriers of diseases emerging in other states, he opined. Mr. Khader then directed the officials concerned to set up FTDs in required places and entrusted the responsibility of overseeing the process to the District Health Officer.

Mamatha Gatty, Member, DK Zilla Panchayat, raised the issue of increased fogging requirements in rural areas to which the Health Secretary said that fogging is not the solution to the problem of dengue. “Mosquitoes do not actually die with this method. In fact, there are chances of road mosquitoes getting drifted to houses due to fogging. Besides, it causes breathing and chest problems”, he said.

Ms. Gatty suggested that every house in Panchayat limits be supplied with packets of bleaching powder so that awareness on maintaining cleanliness of water and checking of mosquito breeding grounds is created among people. The Health Secretary said that the proposal is not feasible enough as it is difficult to supply each house with bleaching powder. Mr. Khader later said that bleaching powder could be carried by 'Asha' and anganvadi activists who during their door-to-door visits, make use of it and demonstrate its use, following which people will try and follow it themselves.

A decision to hold National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) meet headed by the district in charge minister every month was also taken on the occasion.