Thiruvananthapuram: Experts on Saturday called for extensive steps to check the spread of dengue in the state and demanded introduction of an effective public health policy to check vector borne diseases.
At the round table organised by Kerala Public Health Protection Council, the participants discussed the increasing incidence of vector borne diseases besides leptospirosis which too has become a major health concern in the state. Outbreak of water borne diseases such as diarrhoea, hepatitis and re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases were also discussed at the meet inaugurated by Shashi Tharoor MP and presided over by former planning board member C.P. John.
The meeting called for revoking of public health department with a separate directorate which is now entangled in directorate of health services. The health department which bear responsibility of running more than 1,250 hospitals in the state, is finding it difficult to effectively manage the public health challenges.
There is a need for creating a separate public health directorate to tackle public health issues including prevention and control of infectious diseases. Ahead of creating the directorate, the government needs to create a exclusive public health cadre.
The immunisation programmes, disease control and prevention programmes which are now being carried out by the directorate of health services, should be transferred to the public health directorate once it is formed. Experts say at the moment the health department set up was focused more on crisis management rather than working on a long term action plan.
The other issues raised were passing of public health act at the earliest, introduction of public health policy, clarity in the role of state government, local bodies, households and NGOs in tackling public health problems.
