Health Department on High Alert as Flood Situation Persists, Minister Reviews Preparedness

Bhubaneswar: With floods affecting several parts of Odisha, the state Health and Family Welfare Department has stepped up its preparedness to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure uninterrupted medical services in affected areas. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials and Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDM&PHOs) of flood-affected districts to assess the department’s response.

Reviewing the situation, the Minister directed officials to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services and maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines and medical supplies. He instructed that Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Mobile Health Units be deployed to provide medical care in flood-hit and remote areas.

Dr. Mahaling stressed the need for continuous surveillance of diarrhoea, cholera, malaria, dengue and other water-borne and vector-borne diseases, directing officials to ensure immediate treatment wherever cases are detected. He also emphasised the importance of providing safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and healthcare services at relief centres, with special attention to pregnant women, children and elderly persons.

During the meeting, CDM&PHOs from various districts briefed the Minister on the prevailing flood situation, healthcare arrangements and measures being taken on the ground. The Minister appreciated the efforts of frontline health workers and urged them to continue working in close coordination with district administrations and other departments to safeguard public health.

According to the Health Department, 367 people were treated for common ailments in rain-affected districts on Saturday, taking the cumulative number of patients treated to 9,025. A total of 12 snakebite cases were reported during the day, raising the cumulative figure to 58, while 114 people are currently undergoing treatment for diarrhoea-related illnesses.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of key health programmes, including services at medical colleges and hospitals, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY–Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, Odisha State Drug Corporation Limited, and ongoing initiatives related to dengue control, tuberculosis, and maternal and child healthcare.

Dr. Mahaling directed all health officials and field staff to remain on high alert and continue their duties until the flood situation returns to normal, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to protecting public health during the ongoing emergency.

The review meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S., senior departmental officials, and CDM&PHOs of flood-affected districts through video conferencing.