Pune: Health Department Launches Disease War Room for Monsoon Season Preparedness

Pune, 11th August 2023: As the monsoon season looms, Pune’s health department has received a mandate to establish a specialized “war room” to proactively manage and control potential outbreaks of water-borne, vector-borne, and other diseases. The directive emerged from a virtual review meeting convened by Health Minister Tanaji Sawant, where comprehensive plans for epidemic prevention and management were discussed, placing a strong emphasis on preemptive actions.

The review, conducted on Tuesday, saw the participation of key stakeholders including Health Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar, Director of Health Services Nitin Ambadekar, civil surgeons, district health officers, and medical officers representing municipal corporations.

In light of the challenges presented by the impending monsoon, Health Minister Tanaji Sawant underscored the necessity of establishing local “war rooms” to swiftly address disease outbreaks. These localized units are anticipated to work in tandem with the state-level war room, serving as central hubs for the collection and dissemination of critical information pertaining to disease incidents and patient data. This proactive approach aims to facilitate prompt and efficient disease management interventions.

For diseases transmitted by vectors, Minister Sawant outlined a comprehensive strategy for local entities. Teams will embark on door-to-door visits to identify and eradicate potential mosquito breeding grounds. Simultaneously, public awareness campaigns will educate residents on preventive measures against vector-borne illnesses. Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines is also of prime importance, with regular assessments of medicine stocks and strategic replenishments to meet demand.

Dr. Kailas Baviskar, Deputy Director of Health Services, detailed further measures to fortify disease control initiatives. Local authorities have been entrusted with the task of rigorous testing of drinking water sources to avert water-borne diseases. Swift preventive actions will be initiated in cases where water samples reveal contamination. Enhanced collection of blood samples for testing, particularly for diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, is being underscored. Fumigation and targeted insecticide spraying will be conducted in vulnerable areas to create a safer living environment for residents.