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New Delhi, July 11, 2024: In response to the onset of the monsoon season and the corresponding rise in dengue cases, Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda convened a high-level meeting today to assess the nation’s readiness for dengue prevention, containment, and management. The meeting, attended by senior health officials and representatives from various ministries, aimed to strengthen the public health system’s response to the dengue threat.
During the meeting, Shri Nadda was briefed on the current dengue situation across the country. The Ministry’s efforts have led to a significant reduction in the Dengue Case Fatality Rate, which has dropped from 3.3% in 1996 to 0.1% in 2024. However, the onset of monsoon and the global rise in dengue cases present a renewed challenge.
The Health Minister emphasized the need for heightened preparedness and directed officials to enhance prevention, containment, and management measures. He called for a focused approach on high-burden states and regions frequently experiencing outbreaks. Shri Nadda stressed the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, urging coordination between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development, the Education Ministry, and local governing bodies for effective dengue control.
“The Centre has been proactively communicating with states to ensure timely action for dengue prevention and control,” said Shri Nadda. He highlighted the government’s commitment to providing technical and budgetary support, noting that inter-sectoral meetings have been conducted to sensitize stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities.
Communication and awareness campaigns are central to the prevention strategy. The Health Minister announced a nationwide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to educate the public about the Aedes mosquito, which bites during the daytime. The campaign will promote preventive measures such as wearing full-body covering clothing and eliminating stagnant water from containers. These efforts will be amplified through TV, radio, social media, and other platforms.
To support the public further, Shri Nadda directed the creation of a 24/7 central helpline for dengue prevention and awareness. States were also encouraged to establish similar helplines. Additionally, AIIMS and other central government hospitals have been instructed to set up dedicated dengue wards equipped with trained staff, necessary drugs, and other logistics. A referral system will be developed to optimize clinical facilities.
Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), underscored the importance of engaging municipal bodies in preventing dengue outbreaks. He recommended improving building coolers and tanks to prevent mosquito breeding.
The Government of India has issued 14 advisories in 2024 to guide states on dengue and chikungunya prevention and control. Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals have increased from 110 in 2007 to 848 in 2024, providing free diagnosis and disease surveillance. National Dengue Day is observed annually on May 16 to kickstart pre-monsoon preventive activities. Updated national guidelines for case management were released on August 10, 2023, and master trainers from medical colleges and district hospitals have been trained to improve clinical management and reduce dengue-related deaths.
Central teams are regularly dispatched to states to review the dengue situation, assess actions taken, and provide technical guidance. Adequate diagnostic kits for dengue and chikungunya have also been supplied to states.
The meeting saw the participation of key officials, including Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary; Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary, Health Ministry; Smt. L S Changsan, Additional Secretary, Health Ministry; Dr. Atul Goel, DGHS; Smt. Vandana Jain, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry; Prof. M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi; Dr. Sarita Beri, Director, Lady Hardinge Medical College; Dr. Vandana Talwar, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital; Dr. Ajay Shukla, Medical Superintendent, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital; Dr. Tanu Jain, Director, NCVBDC, Health Ministry, and other senior officials.
The Health Minister’s directives and the collaborative efforts of various ministries aim to bolster the country’s defenses against dengue, ensuring a robust and coordinated response to the seasonal threat.
