PAV Urges National Hantavirus Preparedness Plan

Nellore: Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), affiliated to the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, has submitted a detailed representation to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, urging immediate precautionary measures in view of emerging global concerns over hantavirus infections and severe respiratory complications such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).

In its representation, PAV referred to alerts issued by international public health agencies and the World Health Organisation regarding the seriousness of HPS, which reportedly carries a mortality rate of 30 to 40 per cent in severe cases.

The organisation said that while there is no immediate cause for panic, India should not overlook the lessons learnt during the Covid-19 Delta wave, when shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, ventilators, medicines and healthcare personnel led to widespread suffering.

PAV called upon the Centre to proactively strengthen healthcare preparedness by upgrading infrastructure in government hospitals, increasing public health spending, recruiting adequate medical and paramedical staff, conducting regular training programmes, and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines.

The organisation also sought stronger disease surveillance systems, timely scientific advisories and treatment guidelines from the Indian Council of Medical Research, besides enhanced airport and international traveller health monitoring.

PAV further stressed the need for public awareness campaigns involving civil society organisations and health movements, stating that preparedness is always more effective than crisis management after large-scale spread.

The representation was issued by Dr M.V. Ramanaiah, president of PAV, and T. Kameshwar Rao, general secretary, on Monday.