Pathak: Public participation key to eliminating dengue, malaria

Lucknow: Launching the Dastak campaign, a drive against communicable diseases, deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said public participation was critical to eliminating dengue, malaria and other vector-borne diseases, stressing that govt efforts alone would not be enough to achieve lasting control.Flagging off the campaign at the Dr CM Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Pathak said Uttar Pradesh achieved nearly 99% control over encephalitis, once among the state’s biggest public health challenges.He added that cases of dengue and malaria also declined considerably, but sustained public awareness and community action remained key to preventing outbreaks.The state govt conducts the communicable disease control and awareness campaign three times a year, involving 13 departments.However, Pathak said the initiative could succeed only if people ensured that water did not stagnate in and around their homes and that mosquito breeding sites were eliminated.He urged people to maintain hygiene, avoid damp and unhygienic surroundings, wash their hands before meals, drink safe water and refrain from consuming uncovered food sold in the open.“Everyone focuses on treatment after a disease strikes, but prevention is equally important,” he said, calling for greater public awareness about preventive healthcare.

During his visit, the deputy chief minister interacted with first-year MBBS and BSc Nursing students, enquiring about hostel facilities, food quality and academic life.He directed institute director Dr CM Singh to regularly monitor the quality and nutritional value of meals served to students and said he would personally visit the hostel one day to have a meal with them.Senior health officials, including additional chief secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Kumar, were present on the occasion.