Odisha Govt Sends Four Expert Teams to Diarrhoea-Hit Districts as Situation Improves

Bhubaneswar : In a proactive response to the recent outbreak of diarrhoea in several parts of the state, the Odisha government has deputed four state-level teams to the affected districts to monitor and strengthen on-ground disease control measures.

State Health Secretary Aswathi S announced that the teams comprise senior officers, health experts, and advisors from the Health and Family Welfare Department. The move is part of a comprehensive strategy to contain the spread of water-borne diseases and ensure effective coordination at the grassroots level.

The teams include Joint Director Dr. Ashok Kumar Paik Roy, Advisors Dr. Kalloka Das and Shri Anup, IRT Member Surjit Garabdu, and senior doctors Dr. Asit Kumar Mohanty and Dr. Prabhakar Sahu. They have been assigned to visit key affected areas including Bhubaneswar, Banki, Dharamsala, Badachana, and Bhandaripokhari.

Their mandate includes overseeing water source purification, house-to-house surveys, early detection and treatment of diarrhoea cases, door-to-door distribution of ORS, medicines, and halogen tablets, as well as raising public awareness through campaigns.

“The situation is improving,” said the Health Secretary. “Only 300 new cases, mostly mild, were reported today from the five districts. Both the central and state teams are working closely to eliminate the disease.”

She further informed that extra medical supplies, awareness leaflets, and medicine certificates have been dispatched to the affected areas, and local awareness efforts have been intensified.

Meanwhile, three central health teams, currently visiting the impacted districts, have stated that the outbreak has not reached epidemic proportions. They are expected to conclude their field visit today and will meet with senior state officials tomorrow to evaluate containment measures and discuss the next course of action.

The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring public health and urged citizens to follow hygiene guidelines and cooperate with the health teams.