Following the Diarrhoea cases reported at Balongi, a high level team on the directions of DC Ashika Jain visited the area and reviewed the situation. The team comprised SDM Mohali Sarabjit Kaur, Joint Commissioner , Mohali MC, Kiran Sharma and Civil Surgeon Dr Mahesh Kumar.
SDM Sarabjit Kaur said that as a precautionary measure, water tankers had been made available in Balongi village and samples of water taps from the people's houses had been taken. She further said that in the affected areas, the medical teams under the supervision of SMO Gharuan Dr Surinder Pal Kaur had organised a medical camp and free medicines were being given.
She said that the Health Department had coordinated with the district administration , other concerned departments and health services are being provided to the people. She said that after floods and heavy rains, the risk of water-borne diseases like typhoid, diarrhea, fever and leptospirosis and vector borne diseases (Malaria, Dengue) increases many fold, to contain the risk and protect the people from these diseases, efforts are being put and regular monitoring is being done.
MC Mohali Joint Commissioner Kiran Sharma said that as per the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, water tankers have been made available for supply of drinking water. The residents of the affected area have been exhorted to use water from tankers.
Civil surgeon Dr Mahesh Kumar Ahuja said that medical checkup camps are continued by the Health teams. People are being made aware to prevent Diarrhoea and Asha workers are distributing ORS packets and zinc tablets from house to house.
It has also been recommended to boil water for drinking and cooking purposes. Otherwise, drinking water is being provided through tankers.
A team from PGI and AIMS (Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences) Mohali also took samples of drinking water in Daun and Balongi areas. The high level team along with Assistant Director Gagandeep Singh Grover, Senior Medical Officer Gharuan Dr. Surinder Pal Kaur and Sarpanch Bahadur Singh with Nagar Panchayat visited the area of Balongi, where cases were reported.
Civil surgeon added , special attention is being paid to the health of diarrhea patients along with proper health care and treatment. The health department team deputed there for check up during medical camp, including Dr Saroj, Dr Anil Vashisht, Dr Harpreet Kaur, Block Extension Educator Gautam Rishi, CHO Sonam, Multipurpose Supervisor Jaswinder Kaur, ANM Bajinderpal Kaur and Multipurpose Health Workers Jagtar Singh, Kuljit Singh, Jatinder Singh, Saroja Devi and Asha Workers.
Precautions and Preventions
SMO Dr Surinder Pal Kaur said that after recent floods and heavy rains, to avoid waterborne and vector borne diseases, water should be taken from a clean and safe source. To avoid risk of water contamination, water used for drinking and cooking should be boiled first or bottled water should be used.
Similarly, keep food and drink covered. Prevention can be done by keeping your food and drink right and paying more attention to cleanliness. It is important to wash your hands with soap and water before eating.
Similarly, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet. Keep your surroundings clean to prevent mosquito breeding and use mosquito nets to avoid malaria and dengue.
Consume fresh food and avoid that has come in contact with flood/rain water. Whenever the symptoms of infection appear, a health check-up must be done by the doctor.