Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviews dengue preparedness amid rising cases

New Delhi: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda, convened a high-level meeting to evaluate the dengue situation across India and assess the preparedness of public health systems for the prevention, containment, and management of dengue as the monsoon season approaches and global dengue cases rise. The meeting aimed to bolster efforts against dengue, given the heightened risk during the rainy season.

During the meeting, Minister Nadda was updated on the nationwide dengue situation and the Ministry’s preparedness. It was noted that the Dengue Case Fatality Rate has significantly decreased from 3.3% in 1996 to 0.1% in 2024 due to focused, timely, and collaborative efforts. Nadda emphasized the critical need for readiness against dengue, directing officials to enhance prevention, containment, and management strategies.

The Minister called on officials to concentrate on states and regions with high dengue burdens and frequent outbreaks. He urged them to work proactively with states to achieve tangible results in dengue prevention. Nadda also highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial convergence meetings involving the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), the Education Ministry, municipal corporations, and local self-governments to educate them on their roles in dengue prevention and control.

The Centre has been actively communicating with states to ensure timely action for dengue prevention and control. Various inter-sectoral meetings have been held to sensitize stakeholders and ministries about their responsibilities. These activities are set to be further intensified in the coming years. Nadda pointed out that the Union government has been providing both technical and budgetary support over time.

Highlighting the importance of communication and awareness, the Health Minister emphasized the need to educate communities about the daytime-biting Aedes mosquito. He announced a large-scale awareness campaign targeting school children and the public to wear fully covering clothes and eliminate stagnant water in containers. This campaign will be promoted nationwide through TV, radio, social media, and other platforms.

Nadda directed the creation of a 24/7 central helpline for dengue prevention, awareness, and support for queries on symptoms, treatment protocols, and emergencies. States were also advised to establish similar helpline numbers.

Hospitals, including AIIMS and other central government facilities, were instructed to ensure that dedicated dengue wards are fully equipped with trained personnel, necessary drugs, and other logistics. They were also directed to set up a referral system to make optimal use of their clinical facilities.

Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), underscored the need to sensitize municipal bodies in states to prevent dengue outbreaks. He suggested improvements to coolers and tanks in buildings to make them resistant to mosquito breeding.

Several measures have been taken across the country for dengue prevention, control, and management. The Government of India has issued 14 advisories in 2024 to sensitize states about dengue preparedness and control. High-level meetings have been held to provide technical guidance to states. The number of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals has increased from 110 in 2007 to 848 in 2024 to facilitate free diagnosis and disease surveillance. 

National Dengue Day is observed on May 16 to kick off pre-monsoon preventive activities. Updated national guidelines for case management were released on August 10, 2023. Master trainers from medical colleges and district hospitals have been trained in four national-level sessions on updated guidelines to improve clinical management and reduce dengue-related deaths. Central teams are regularly dispatched to states to review the disease situation, monitor actions taken by states, and provide technical guidance for disease containment. Additionally, adequate diagnostic kits for both dengue and chikungunya have been supplied to states.

Senior officials attending the meeting included Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra; Additional Secretary Aradhana Patnaik; Additional Secretary L S Changsan; DGHS Dr. Atul Goel; Joint Secretary Vandana Jain; AIIMS Director Prof. M Srinivas; Lady Hardinge Medical College Director Dr. Sarita Beri; Safdarjung Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Vandana Talwar; Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Ajay Shukla; and NCVBDC Director Dr. Tanu Jain.