Awareness Key to Preventing Water-Borne Diseases: DC Manmohan Sharma

Solan, August 6: Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma has directed Community Health Officers to intensify awareness campaigns on dengue, scrub typhus, and water-borne diseases at the village level to minimize health risks during the monsoon season.

Chairing a meeting of the District Task Force of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Sharma emphasized that public awareness is the most effective tool to prevent seasonal diseases. He advised citizens to store drinking water in clean, covered containers, regularly clean water sources, and consume boiled water to reduce the risk of infections.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed all health institutions to maintain adequate stocks of medicines for the treatment of dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, and other water-borne illnesses. He also called for close coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions to strengthen community outreach and awareness efforts.

Special directions were issued for fogging operations in slum areas, particularly in Parwanoo, to curb the spread of malaria and dengue. Health officials were also asked to identify high-risk pregnancies, ensure timely medical check-ups for expectant mothers, and achieve complete immunization coverage for eligible children.

Sharma informed that the Health Department is conducting a district-wide diarrhoea awareness campaign until August 31, 2026, focusing on symptoms, prevention, and timely treatment. He also announced that National Deworming Day will be observed on August 24, 2026, during which schoolchildren will receive Albendazole tablets and Vitamin A supplementation.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), immunization, HIV/AIDS prevention, and other public health initiatives.