ALAPPUZHA: With the symptoms of chikungunya and dengue already being reported from different parts of the State, the State Health wing is on an overdrive to combat these diseases, Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy said here on Saturday.

Alappuzha, which has always been vulnerable to such diseases, would be given

priority for precautionary measures. Addressing a meeting of MPs, MLAs, district administration, Panchayat representatives and health officials convened to discuss pre-monsoon preparedness at the District Collectorate here, Ms. Sreemathy said Rs. 2 lakh each would be given to the 11 Assembly Constituencies in Alappuzha for precautionary measures and health developmental activities.

Ward-level health and sanitation committees were already set up in 100 wards

with an allocation of Rs.10,000 each using the Rs.1 crore given through the National Rural Health Scheme. The remaining 284 wards, including those in the five municipalities in the district, would soon be given Rs.28.4 lakh for setting up the committees.

Sanitation drive

"We have already received reports on symptoms of chikungunya and dengue and

we are not waiting for confirmations. We are starting a drive from May 22 to enhance the sanitary conditions across the State and to educate people on proper waste disposal. The drive will also focus on general preparedness for monsoon diseases," the Minister said.

With several areas in Alappuzha being prone to such diseases, health officials had already visited vulnerable spots and areas where the diseases were reported last year. Necessary funds were being given to primary health care centres, she said.

The proposed field station of the National Institute of Virology would function here in coordination with the State Virology Institute, which would be upgraded using the Rs.10-crore Central grant.

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