Govt. vows to take steps against brain fever

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MAY 30. The Minister of State for Medical Education, Ms. Nafees Fazal, said today that the Government would take preventive measures such as vaccination, vector control and immunisation of pigs to combat Japanese encephalitis, also known as brain fever.

She was inaugurating a continuing medical education programme organised at the Victoria Hospital as part of its centenary celebrations.

Responding to a suggestion from Dr. M.Gouri Devi, Vice- Chancellor, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (deemed university), that measures to tackle the disease be initiated on a war-footing, the minister said that pigs which contracted the disease through mosquitoes would be segregated.

She said proper diagnosis of the disease and fogging operation in the mosquito-infested areas were some of the steps the Government planned to take in the coming months. The rehabilitation of children who suffered disability due to the disease would be taken up without delay.

Ms. Fazal said that the laboratory at Bellary would be improved. All Government hospitals attached to the teaching colleges would be geared up to meet the challenge. The Medical Education Secretary, Mr. D.Tangaraj, had been asked to visit all hospitals to improve the quality of service, particularly to the poor, she added.

She said that the results of the CET for the post-graduate courses would be announced within 15 days.

The minister said the ICU at the Victoria Hospital had been reopened, and the hospital would purchase C.T.Scan and other equipment with World Bank assistance.

In her keynote address, Dr. Gouri Devi said that despite extensive research conducted at Lucknow, Pune and the NIMHANS, no drug for brain fever could be developed. Diagnosis was difficult, and only one-third of the patients recovered. One-third died and the remaining suffered from residual disabilities.

Commending the Government for taking steps to contain the disease, she said the scientists were doing good work in developing a drug. Normally, brain fever was rampant during September, by which time the Government should gear itself up to control the mosquito menace. She clarified that the disease was not transmitted from man to man.

Dr. M.Chandrasekhara Shetty, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi Health University, who presided, appealed to Dr. Gouri Devi to evolve a research and exchange programme to update the skills and knowledge of the medical staff and improve their attitude, to combat diseases. He called for research relevant to the local needs. All the important Government and affiliated hospitals should make a contribution to efforts to contain viral and non- communicable diseases, he added.

Dr. C.M.Chikkamoga, who is retiring as Superintendent of the Victoria Hospital, advised the teaching faculty to impart quality education to students. He called upon the students to respect their teachers. He was grateful to the minister for her efforts in securing Rs. 9-crore assistance from the World Bank for renovation and buying equipment.

Dr. C.M.Jayakeerthi, Principal, Bangalore Medical College, was present. Dr. Saroja proposed a vote of thanks.

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