National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Nagaland has asserted the need for mobilization and coordination between private and public health sectors and stakeholders to control vector borne diseases.
Speaking in an “intersectoral convergence meeting on dengue” on Friday at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Joint director & SPO, NVBDCP, Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru, has informed doctors in government health institutions and the registered medical private practitioners of the private hospital and clinics to immediately communicate with the district health authority of concern district, if a suspected case of dengue was reported at their health institution.
Dr. Kevichusa informed that NVBDCP is an umbrella for prevention and control of vector borne diseases covering six vector borne diseases–Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Dengue, Kala-Azar, Filarasis and Chikungunya. He added that Malaria, JE & Dengue are found in Nagaland. Highlighting on vector borne diseases scenario in Nagaland, he said from January 2017 to August 2017, 268 positive cases of malaria, 16 cases of dengue and 9 AES/JE were recorded in Nagaland.
Dr. Kevichusa informed that blood samples of all the dengue suspected cases are sent to Sentinel Surveillance Site Lab (SSSL) at District Hospital Dimapur to be tested by ELISA technique. He informed that a patient could be declared positive for dengue only on the basis of ELISA technique of testing and not by RDT.
He also suggested implementing for regulating storage/utilization of water by communities and various agencies; avoidance of mosquito genic conditions at construction sites etc.; suitable byelaws for the proper disposal/storage of junk, discarded tins, old tyres and other debris and appropriate legislation to be formulated for mandatory HIA prior to any development projects/major constructions.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dimapur, Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi, informed that 24 persons were detached positive for dengue and 10 for JE in Dimapur from January 2017 to September 2017.
In the meeting, DC Dimapur Kesonyu Yhome, IAS said proper cooperation and information sharing from both private and public health sectors was needed to curb dengue fever. The DC also said that government alone cannot tackle the situations and that there was a need to think and work out strategies to control vector borne diseases in Dimapur.
Dr. Temsu from SSSL District Hospital, Dimapur, while presenting pathogenesis and diagnosis of dengue, urged all health centers to send blood samples of those suspected cases to the lab for confirmation and data collection so as to tackle the occurrence of dengue more efficiently.
MD, DH, Dimapur Dr. Ngopelo, presented clinical management of dengue fever and informed that dengue was the fastest spreading vector borne disease in the world and requires symptomatic and supportive treatment. Assistant director, UVBDS (NVBDCP), Kikolul Khieya also spoke on vector control measures.
In a discussion hour, doctors from various health institutions shared their views and experiences on how to tackle the emerging cases of dengue in the state.
The meeting was chaired by the DC and was attended by representatives from various private and public health sectors and NGOs. Vote of thanks was proposed by DVBO, NVBDCP, Dr. Moa Jamir.