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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: State targets to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, says Dr Balbir
As part of the on-going 'Har Shukarwar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday morning sensitised city residents about the importance of cleaning and drying water storage containers every Friday to prevent mosquito breeding. Dr Singh accompained by civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and health teams visited New Kailash Nagar to conduct a thorough inspection of houses in Street number 1. During his visit, Dr Singh identified dengue larvae in desert coolers, flowerpots, water containers, fridge trays, tank water and water storage containers. Dr Singh said, 'These are critical breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito and regular cleaning is essential to stop dengue in its tracks.' He also urged residents to wear full-sleeve shirts as an additional protective measure against mosquito bites. Dr Singh highlighted the state-wide efforts under the state government campaign, noting that 20,000 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are actively inspecting homes across Punjab every Friday. 'These workers are tasked with identifying dengue larvae and educating communities on preventive steps, such as eliminating stagnant water and maintaining hygiene in and around households,' he added. The health minister stated that this concerted effort is part of a broader goal to reduce dengue cases by 90 per cent this year, following a 50 per cent reduction achieved last year compared to previous years. To further strengthen the campaign, Dr Singh also mentioned that schoolteachers across Punjab are being trained to educate students about dengue prevention. 'This initiative aims to mobilise 20 lakh school students to spread awareness and assist in controlling the disease. Additionally, every village in Punjab has established a health committee with 15 members each, who are receiving training on identifying and eliminating dengue larvae, ensuring a grassroots-level response to the public health challenge,' he added. Meets family of COVID victim Dr Singh also visited the family of the man who died of COVID-19 on Wednesday. He offered his condolences, encouraged the family to adhere to isolation guidelines and assured them of government's unwavering support. Addressing the current COVID-19 situation, the health minister reported that only three cases have been recorded in Punjab to date, stressing that there is no cause for concern. He added that the situation is completely normal and Punjab is fully equipped with adequate infrastructure, including oxygen, medicines, beds, and all necessary resources. Dr Singh also advised immune compromised individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with conditions like kidney disease, high BP, cancer, or respiratory issues to wear masks when stepping outside as a precautionary measure. He underscored the importance of vigilance while affirming the state's preparedness to handle any health challenges. Dr Singh said, 'Through collective action and adherence to preventive measures, we can protect our communities from both dengue and COVID-19.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health min inspects every home in New Kailash Nagar
1 2 Ludhiana: Health minister Balbir Singh inspected every nook and cranny of the houses in street number one of New Kailash Nagar here Friday morning. He was accompanied by civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and health teams. They did not find a single household that didn't have dengue larvae in their coolers, flower pots, water containers, fridge trays, tank water, and water storage containers. Singh said these are breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which causes dengue, and sensitised residents to the importance of undertaking regular cleaning and draining off accumulated water to prevent dengue. He also urged the residents to wear full-sleeve clothes as an additional protective measure against mosquitoes, which are known to bite during the daytime. The minister's visit was part of the govt's ongoing 'Har Shukarwar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign. Highlighting the statewide efforts under the campaign, the minister said 20,000 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers are actively inspecting homes across Punjab every Friday. These workers are tasked with identifying dengue larvae and educating communities about preventive steps, such as preventing water stagnation and maintaining hygiene in and around households. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo This concerted effort is part of a broader goal to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, following a 50% reduction achieved last year compared to previous years, the minister said. To strengthen the campaign further, Singh said schoolteachers are being trained to educate students about dengue prevention. This initiative aims to mobilise an army of 20 lakh school students to create awareness and assist in controlling the disease. In addition, every village in Punjab has set up a health committee with 15 members each, who are being trained to identify and eliminate dengue larvae, ensuring a grassroots-level response to the public health challenge, a health department statement said.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Focus on heat-resilience despite the monsoon
At a national conference on climate and health titled 'India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future', recently, a trade union leader shared the lived reality of garment workers in sweltering factories, while a climate modeller spoke about wet-bulb temperatures — two equally important perspectives that are reflective of science and the lived reality. The conference showed the power of unlikely collaborations: paediatricians with architects, maternal health experts with city engineers, and academicians with policymakers. The monsoon may have set in early, but the fact that cannot be ignored is that India did face (and will face) yet another season of intense heat; the toll on public health is impossible to ignore. From dehydration and heatstroke to exacerbated chronic illnesses, extreme heat is pushing the health system to its limits. Yet, our response remains siloed and heavily skewed toward crisis care (hospital beds, intravenous (IV) fluids, and emergency admissions) when it should be grounded in prevention. For India's health system to address the challenges of a warming world, it must evolve from reactive care to proactive and preventive action, and must also be interdisciplinary. Prevention begins with primary care India's primary health-care system is the first line of defence, but it is not climate ready. Professionals at health and wellness centres, primary health centres and frontline Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are well-placed to act as heat-safety champions. With proper training and protocols, they can alert communities, check on vulnerable patients, and spread simple yet life-saving tips such as staying hydrated, avoiding midday exertion, and spotting early signs of heat stress. Linking early warning systems from meteorological departments to local health networks can trigger rapid community action. Imagine a heat alert triggering messages from ASHAs to village WhatsApp groups, door-to-door visits to elderly residents, and the distribution of hydration kits in advance. These actions have saved lives in cities such as Ahmedabad and have the potential to be scaled across rural India. Additionally, integrating prevention into routine chronic care is critical as people with heart disease, diabetes, kidney conditions, and mental health issues are especially vulnerable. During summer, clinicians must adjust medications, counsel patients on heat safety precautions, and closely monitor high-risk individuals. Clinical protocols must catch up Despite rising cases of heat-related illness, many health-care providers still do not screen for heat exposure in routine health checkups. Heat stroke is often misdiagnosed, or worse, missed entirely especially in busy emergency settings. We need clear, standardised clinical protocols for diagnosing and managing heat illnesses, along with regular summer drills in hospitals to ensure readiness. Dedicated 'heat corners' in emergency departments, pre-stocking of cooling kits at health centres, and post-discharge follow-ups for patients with heat illnesses are all simple but powerful steps towards a truly preventive approach. The heat-health crisis cannot be tackled by the health sector alone. Preventing illness is not just about treating symptoms. It means reducing exposure in the first place. This requires coordinated action across different sectors and disciplines. Urban planners must rethink housing design and public spaces. Water departments must ensure access to reliable supply during peak summer months. Labour departments need to enforce protections such as regulated outdoor working hours. Further, climate scientists must collaborate and work closely with health officials to guide timely, data-driven, targeted interventions. India should move beyond the model of 'centres of excellence' and build networks of excellence forming teams that bring together public health, climate science, urban development, labour rights, and grassroots voices. These networks can co-design solutions rooted in lived reality — from misting shelters in slums to cool roofing in Anganwadi centres. Health for all starts with equity Extreme heat is not just a weather event but is also a social injustice multiplier. When temperatures soar, it is the informal vendors on sizzling pavements, the children in cramped classrooms, and the elderly in poorly ventilated tenements who bear the brunt. When the heat index crosses danger thresholds, the most affected are people with no choice — waste pickers with no shelter or daily wagers working under tin roofs. 'Stay indoors' is not guidance to the vulnerable. It is a stark reminder of how deeply skewed our systems are. To prevent the worst health impacts of heat extremes, we must shift from reactive emergency care to preventive, equity-rooted public health. This begins with mapping vulnerability, not just meteorologically, but socially — who lives where, how he works and what he lacks. Early morning health checks during red alerts, mobile hydration stations in low-income zones, subsidised cool shelters for the homeless, and protective policies for outdoor workers are life-saving necessities. The science is clear. So is the moral imperative: climate resilience means nothing unless it protects those most at risk. The window for action is narrowing, but the path ahead is clear. As climate extremes intensify, India must seize this moment to lead with vision and urgency. By embedding heat resilience into our public health systems, anchored in equity, science, and local leadership, we can safeguard lives and livelihoods. The time to act is not tomorrow or next year. It is now. Let India be the country that chose to prepare, protect, and pioneer. Nitya Mohan Khemka is Director of the Khemka Foundation, focused on strategic philanthropy. Indu K. Murthy leads the Climate, Environment and Sustainability sector at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a research-based think tank
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Mallika Sarabhai alleges restrictions on free expression as chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam
THRISSUR: Renowned dancer, activist, and Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam, Mallika Sarabhai, has alleged that limitations have been placed on her freedom of expression in her new academic role. In a candid Facebook post on Wednesday, Sarabhai reflected on her experience, writing: "Today I got my first taste of what it means to be the Chancellor of a University. Restricted speech." Her remarks come in the wake of an ongoing protest by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in Thrissur, who are demanding better wages and improved working conditions. She expressed her support for the cause, stating that ASHA workers are "ill paid and used" despite the critical work they perform across the country. Sarabhai also highlighted a citizens' crowdfunding initiative, led by noted writer and activist Sarah Joseph, to support the workers in Thrissur, in which she has been invited to participate on Thursday. However, Sarabhai revealed that after expressing her personal opinion on the issue, she was seemingly advised against doing so, leading her to question the constraints now placed upon her public voice. "There is an ASHA workers agitation on in Thrissur about increasing their pay. I believe these workers everywhere do very important work and are ill paid and used. Sarah Joseph is leading a citizens' crowd funding to increase their salary. "I was asked for my opinion and gave it as me, as I have done all my life. Oh, not allowed any more. Hmmm. How do I stop being me? Do I even want to?" she wrote on her Facebook page. She has not disclosed who attempted to impose these restrictions on her freedom of expression. Condemning the alleged curbs, a leader of the protesting ASHA workers said they expect Sarabhai to participate in the protest online on Thursday evening. Neither the Left government nor the university authorities have reacted to the allegations so far. The Left government appointed Sarabhai as the Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed to be University for Art and Culture on December 6, 2022.
