Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, chaired a high-level meeting today to review the dengue situation across the country and assess the public health system's preparedness for the prevention, containment, and management of dengue, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.

During the meeting, the Union Health Minister was briefed on the nationwide dengue situation and the Ministry's preparedness. It was reported that the Dengue Case Fatality Rate has significantly reduced from 3.3% in 1996 to 0.1% in 2024, thanks to focused, timely, and collaborative efforts.

Emphasis on Preparedness and Inter-Ministerial Coordination

Shri Nadda highlighted the challenges posed by the monsoon season, which often leads to a spike in dengue cases. He directed officials to enhance prevention, containment, and management measures, with a particular focus on high-burden states and regions prone to outbreaks. He emphasized the need for proactive collaboration with states to achieve tangible results in dengue prevention.

Stressing the importance of inter-ministerial coordination, Shri Nadda called for a convergence meeting involving the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Education Ministry, and municipal corporations. These meetings aim to sensitize various departments about their roles and responsibilities in dengue prevention and control.

Government Initiatives and Public Awareness Campaigns

The Centre has been in constant communication with states, providing technical and budgetary support for dengue prevention and control activities. Various inter-sectoral meetings have been conducted to sensitize stakeholders and ministries. The government plans to strengthen these activities further in the coming years.

Nadda also underscored the importance of communication and awareness campaigns. To educate communities about the Aedes mosquito, which typically bites during the day, awareness campaigns will be launched, especially targeting school children. The campaigns will promote wearing fully covered clothing and eliminating stagnant water in containers. A nationwide IEC campaign through TV, radio, and social media platforms will be rolled out to spread awareness.

Enhanced Health Services and Surveillance

The Health Minister directed the establishment of a 24/7 central helpline for dengue prevention and awareness. This helpline will offer support for queries regarding symptoms, treatment protocols, and emergency assistance. States are also encouraged to set up similar helplines.

AIIMS and all central government hospitals have been instructed to set up dedicated dengue wards, equipped with trained staff, necessary medications, and logistics. These hospitals will also create a referral system to optimally utilize their clinical facilities.

Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), emphasized the need to sensitize municipal bodies in states to prevent dengue outbreaks. He also suggested improving coolers and water tanks to prevent mosquito breeding.

Preventive Measures and Advisory Issuance

In 2024, the Government of India issued 14 advisories to sensitize states on dengue and chikungunya prevention and control. High-level meetings have provided states with technical guidance. The number of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals has increased from 110 in 2007 to 848 in 2024 to support free diagnosis and disease surveillance.

National Dengue Day is observed on May 16 across the country to initiate pre-monsoon preventive activities. Updated national guidelines for case management were released on August 10, 2023. Master trainers from medical colleges and district hospitals have been trained in four national-level sessions to improve clinical management and reduce dengue-related deaths.

Central teams are regularly deployed to states to review the disease situation, assess actions taken by states, and provide technical guidance for disease containment. Adequate diagnostic kits for both dengue and chikungunya have been provided to the states.