Encephalitis deaths: Health Ministry replies to Gorakhpur doc’s letter written in blood

These steps would be in addition to the recent decision by the Centre to launch a “Catch-up JE Vaccination Drive” in seven districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and would include establishing a separate encephalitis research group under the ICMR,setting up a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at BRD Medical College,Gorakhpur,and launch of a special awareness campaign for hygiene and sanitation in the eastern part of the state.

In the letter dated July 25,2009,Dr Singh had drawn the Centre’s attention towards the large number of encephalitis deaths in eastern UP and requested for implementation of the National Encephalitis Eradication Program (NEEP).

In the reply to his letter,while Singh has been informed that the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme(NVBDCP) is already undertaking most activities suggested under the NEEP,at the same time,the Centre has accepted the need to be more vigorous in tackling the disease,especially in eastern UP.

Singh has been informed that public health measures,including better sanitation and hygiene,protective clothing and keeping away the reservoirs of JE from human dwellings,are advocated. He has also been informed that the Centre has already allocated Rs 5.88 crore to strengthen Gorakhpur Medical College and at the same time has decided to undertake special Catch-up JE Vaccination Drive to cover left-out children. The drive would take place in seven districts of the state — Deoria,Gorakhpur,Kushinagar,Maharajganj,Sant Kabir Nagar,Sidharthnagar and Basti.

Acting on the research that has shown that a large number of survivors of the disease end up having various disabilities,the Centre is planning to set up a Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur.

The government also plans to launch a special campaign for creating awareness about hygiene and sanitation.

When asked about the letter,Dr Singh said,“I received the letter a few days ago. I am grateful that my appeal has been taken into consideration by the PMO Office. However,I have doubts regarding the utility of a separate encephalitis research group under the ICMR as many research wings have already tried their hands without any success. I,thus,stick to to my demand for the NEEP.”

In 2009,over 550 children succumbed to encephalitis virus in eastern UP.