ASHA workers to spread awareness about vector-borne diseases

LUCKNOW: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will play a major role in spreading awareness on how to combat vector-borne diseases during the second phase of the month-long campaign that was launched by health minister Siddharthnath Singh here on Monday.

“ASHAs will be going door-todoor in 38 districts of the state while a special drive has been launched in 7 districts where school teachers will make students aware about the vectorborne diseases,” said Dr Vikasendu Agrawal, joint director, health department.

He added, “We see children as change makers in the society.”

Siddharthnath Singh said that during this month if any of the staff was found neglecting their duty, strict action would be taken against them.

Talking to media persons, the minister said that apart from JE/ AES, several children in Gorakhpur were born with low birth weight or were born premature.

Such deaths of children admitted in neonatal intensive care unit after being born with low birth weight should not be linked with JE/AES, he said.

He said that doctors had been given power to cure people hence they should make sure no one was deprived of treatment facility.

Minister of state for health Mahendra Singh and Siddharthnath Singh gave away wheelchairs to children who had adverse impact of illness upon their limb.

“Just as India could eliminate polio, similarly we shall eliminate JE/AES. The health staff needs to make sure the disease does not spread anywhere and as prevention is the best weapon against the disease. Hence, awareness should be top priority in all districts of the state,” said Siddharthnath Singh.