GoM on encephalitis focuses on sanitation, safe drinking water
With 135 districts across 17 states affected and 861 people dead till November 4, the Japanese Encephalitis epidemic has crossed last years figures. This year there were 6,297 reported cases against 5,149 in 2010 and 677 deaths. Approximately, 70-75 per cent of these have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, with 3,085 cases and 478 deaths.
Faced with these compelling statistics, the first meeting of the GoM on JE focused on the lack of basic amenities such as sanitation and safe drinking water as the reason for the yearly outbreaks of the viral infection, asking the concerned ministries to fix these problems.
The GoM comprises, apart from Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Urban Development Minister Kamal Math, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik and Minister of Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh.
Among the measures that were discussed in the meeting are a fixed monthly compensation to BPL families having children with disability because of JE or Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, a survey to ascertain the disability burden, special schools for mentally challenged children in affected areas, sensitisation of Anganwadi workers and intensifying public health activities.
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/GoM-on-encephalitis-focuses-on-sanitation–safe-drinking-water/878963/