IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE A.GOPAL REDDY and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION NO : 25569 of 2007 DATE: 28.01.2008 Between: Sr. P. Narayana Swamy ..... PETITIONER AND 1. The District Medical and Health Officer, Adilabad District at Adilabad, and others. ...RESPONDENTS ORAL ORDER: (per Hon’ble Sri Justice A. Gopal Reddy) The petitioner, claiming to be a Trade Unionist and Human Rights Activist, sent a telegram dated 23.11.2007 to the Hon’ble the Chief Justice about the explosion of Malaria, Dengu and other fevers in the agency areas of Adilabad District, was taken up as writ petition and issued notices to the respondents to know the steps taken to curtail the said epidemic and the facilities provided for the tribals, who are affected by the said epidemic. In response to the notice, the Principal Secretary to Government, Health Medical and Family Welfare Department, the fourth respondent herein, filed counter affidavit, which reads as under. i) Providing of Medical facilities to the people suffering from Malaria, Dengu and other fevers in the agency areas of Adilabad District. Rapid Fever Survey (House to House):- Six rounds of door to door fever survey has been completed, 97 Paramedical teams from Adilabad District, as well as from Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal, Mahaboobnagar, R.R. and Nalgonda Districts, were deployed for this purpose. Six rounds of Rapid Fever Survey have been completed by 31st December, 2007. In addition to Anti malarial drugs such as Tab. Chloroquine and Primaquine, which are drug of choice, 1st line of treatment Tab. Pyremethrin + Sulfadoxine Inj., Quinine, Inj. Artesunate tab were supplied. For Anemia in children Iron Syrups and paediatric Tablets were supplied. For Worm infection tab. Mebendozone is supplied. In case of high fever higher antibiotics like Clindemycin, Ceftroxone, Monocef are supplied. There is no shortage of Medicines. The Iron Folic acid tablets and syrups are provided for Anemia cases. Tablets for 5 years and above, syrups for below 5 years are supplied. For this extent the CDPO and three supervisors have been made in-charge for each Mandal. Flavoured Liquid Medicine is being given to children below 5 years. In addition to this Milk, bread, eggs, fruits are being supplied to the patients for better drug compliance and speedy recovery. In 11 Tribal Primary Health Centres 32130 Blood smears have been collected and examined for diagnosing Malaria Positive cases and other diseases. In PHCs of agency area additional Lab Technicians along with microscopes have been deployed from Plain areas of Adilabad district and also from Karimnagar and Warangal districts to cut short the time lag between B.S. Collection, B.S. Examination and consolidation of result and administer T.R. dose to the concerned positive cases i.e. P.V. cases. 98 sera samples were collected and sent to VBRI, Hyderabad. 150 Additional Beds, 300 Blankets and 300 Bed Sheets were supplied in first phase. 100 Additional Beds, 150 Blankets and 150 Bed sheets were supplied in Second phase. 40,000 Nos. of supplementary Nutrition Food (Biscuits + Chikki) area distributed for 3 days along with medicine for fever cases. This enabled supplementary nutrition to all the affected tribal families. As a follow up action for ensuring better nutrition to the residents of the five – affected Mandals, Food security scheme is being implemented by providing advance monthly food package of Rs.1080/- per family. Each Food package contains 50 Kgs Rice, 9 KGs Daal, 5 Kgs Wheat, 2 litres Sweet Oil, 2 Kgs Sugar, 1 Kg Salt, 1 Kg Soya Powder, 2 Kg Daal (Small) and 1 Kg Phalli Patti, 32624 families were distributed. Round the clock PHCs:- All the 11 PHCs of five Mandals have been converted into 24 hours PHCs and strengthened by providing 2 Medical Officers, 2 Staff Nurses and others paramedical staff. Mobile Medical Units:- Three Mobile medical Teams consisting of one medical Officer and Mandal level officers (MRO/MPDO/EO/RD) along with paramedical staff have been positioned in each Mandal. IEC Activities:- 25 Kalajatha teams have been deployed to go from Village for conducting awareness camps in local language i.e. Kolam and Gondi (7760 programmes conducted during November and December, 2007. The audiocassettes and Pamphlets in Gondi and kolam language were distributed under supervision of District public Relation officer, Adilabad. These efforts were meant to improve awareness of local population on matter related to health and how they could take advantage of efforts of Government. Deployment of Staff:- 3 Doctors from IMA, Nirmal, Gandhi hospital, Hyderabad, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal and Vaidya Vidhana Parishad were involved to control the epidemic situation. 31 Medical officers and 10 Specialists for each round from plain area were deputed for this purpose. Total 310 Para medical staff and supervisory staffs were deputed from plain area of this District. II Steps taken for preventing Malaria and Dengue in the Agency areas of Adilabad district: Antilarval (Opeations) Measures:- Baytex sprayed in all the Gram Panchayats on routine basis with GP united funds from July to October, 2007. Two rounds of Baytex spray conducted in 638 habitations from 20.11.2007 to 31.12.2007 as a special measure. Indoor Residual Spray (I.R.S):- First and Second round spray done with 5% Alfacypermethrine Covering a population of 119309 from June to October in 271 villages, 60 sub-centres and in 16 PHCs. Special round spray in 5 affected Mandals covered 6388 habitations. Pyrethrum Spray was done in 242 villages in 5 high risk Mandals. Fogging with malathion Liquid was done in all habitations of 5 high risk Mandals from 25.11.2007. As part of biological control 4.1 lakh of Gambusai fish were released in 425 water bodies to prevent the mosquito breeding. Bednets:- Total Bed nets received: 66050 and 46858 bed nets distributed in 5 tribal Mandals i.e. Janioor, Narnoor, Sirpur, Utnoor and Indervelly. The remaining 19,192 bed nets are distributed in Bela, Tamsi, Talamdugu, Boath, Ichoda, Neradegonda, Saroornagar, Mamda, Pembi and Dasturabad Mandals. Rest of the bed nets are specifically being sent of tribal hostels and residential schools. Expert teams from national vector Borne Disease Control programme, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Zonal officer (Malaria), Warangal have visited the affected Mandals and verified the preventive and control measures adopted by district administration. ii) Supply of safe drinking water in the agency area in the Adilabad District: There are 609 protected Water Schemes existing in the 11 Mandals i.e. Narnoor, Jainoor, Kerameri, Indervelly, Utnoor, Tirynani, Dahegeon, Kowtala, Ichoda, Bazarhatnoor, Adilabad Mandals. Two Deputy Executive Engineer 9RWS0 and Sub-ordinate Staff have been drafted for each Mandal for testing of all the water sources and to check regular chlorination. 2311 Samples have been tested and 520 sources are chlorinated, 512 GLSRs/OHSRs/Cisterns were cleaned with bleaching powder. 171 Bore Wells, which were in defunct condition, were repaired and now they are in working condition. 96 bore well platforms were also constructed. Out of 172 defunct schemes with minor repairs, 62 are restored. Chlorine tablets have been distributed for pot chlorination. Experts’ team from Hyderabad have also been deployed for collection of water samples. All the efforts have been taken to control the epidemic situation by deploying medical teams, strengthening medical in fracture, sanitation drive and other preventive measures as stated and present epidemic situation is under control. In view of the explanation offered by the respondent we are convinced that steps have been taken by the Government to curtail the epidemic. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is closed. ______________________ (A. GOPAL REDDY, J.) _________________________________ (NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO, J.) 28th January, 2008 Note: Communicate a copy of this order to the petitioner. (B/o) Js.