India to form central coordination organisation to tackle Japanese Encephalitis

Gorakhpur, Oct 22 (ANI): Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that we need to formulate a central coordination organisation to tackle Japanese Encephalitis.

Addressing mediapersons here, "I strongly feel that we need to formulate a central coordination organisation with inputs from the ministry of health, rural development, irrigation, and social justice, women and child development so that we can pool our resources and benefit those suffering from Encephalitis."

"Uttar Pradesh government also has to work closely with us to work towards improving the lives of these people," he added

Expressing concern over the health of the affected children in the area, Azad said that the disease cripples them and could potentially ruin their future.

"The children affected by Encephalitis are generally left paralysed after the disease affects them. We have seen, in 70 percent cases, that even after survival, they are left with some kind of side effects with some of them being mentally unstable or physically challenged. This is a very deadly disease and ruins the future of the child," added Azad.

He also added that he would provide a detailed report to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh describing the gravity of the situation.

Earlier, Azad, accompanied by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, and officials of the Health Ministry visited hospitals where scores of kids afflicted with the disease have been admitted.

Over 300 encephalitis-afflicted patients are undergoing treatment at other government hospitals in Gorakhpur.

Encephalitis is caused by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water. Therefore, hygiene becomes essential in preventing the disease from spreading.

The symptoms of encephalitis include headache, fever, convulsions, drowsiness, fatigue and the inflammation of the brain. (ANI)