Centre outlines monsoon disease preparedness in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 01 2025: Union minister of state for health and family welfare Anupriya Patel said that the Government of India has put in place an advanced preparedness mechanism for the prevention and control of monsoon-related diseases in Manipur, including relief camps housing internally displaced persons, but stressed that the responsibility for deployment of medical teams rests with the state government.

Responding to a question raised in the Lok Sabha on Friday by Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, the minister said that the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under her ministry is implementing the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) to tackle malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya, kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis across the country, including Manipur.

She said that the ministry, through the directorate general of health services and NCVBDC, is monitoring the surge of vector-borne diseases in villages and relief camps in Manipur through state reports, reviews and field visits.

As the risk of outbreaks rises during the monsoon and post-monsoon period, she said that preparatory activities are carried out in advance to contain the spread of these diseases.

Anupriya Patel outlined the measures being implemented, which include early case detection through surveillance, prompt treatment, strengthening of referral services, and epidemic preparedness with rapid response mechanisms.

Integrated vector management measures such as indoor residual spraying in high-risk areas, use of insecticidal nets, anti-larval measures in urban centres and the release of larvivorous fish are also part of the strategy.

She added that regular monitoring and supervision, behavioural change campaigns, inter-sectoral convergence with allied ministries, and capacity building of human resources are being undertaken.

For real-time tracking, states and UTs have been trained to upload data on the Integrated Health Information Portal for vector-borne diseases.

On treatment preparedness, the minister said that the Centre has been supplying drugs and diagnostics to states for early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Annual mass drug administration campaigns are being conducted for lymphatic filariasis, alongside distribution of morbidity management and disability prevention kits for patients with lymphedema.

Indigenous Japanese Encephalitis vaccines have also been introduced in endemic areas for routine immunisation.

While the Centre provides technical and financial support through the National Health Mission, the minister clarified that public health and hospitals are state subjects.

The strengthening of healthcare systems, including special deployment of medical teams in vulnerable and high-risk areas such as relief camps, is the responsibility of the state government, she said.

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