DHSJ reviews seasonal disease preparedness across Jammu Division

Jammu: A video conference was held Saturday by the Directorate of Health Services Jammu to assess the preparedness for water-borne diseases and snake bite management across Jammu Division.
The meeting was chaired by Director Health Services Jammu Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar and attended by Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents from across the division.
The meeting was initiated by State Surveillance Officer, IDSP Jammu Division, Dr. Harjeet Rai who stressed upon the timely reporting of cases on the IHIP IDSP portal, strengthening of surveillance activities and enhancement of diagnostic capacity at District Public Health Laboratories (DPHLs). Seasonal disease trends, recent outbreaks and laid out action plans for rapid detection, reporting and response were discussed.
Recent cases of Acute Diarrheal Disease, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & E, and other water-borne infections in Rajouri, Udhampur and urban Jammu were reviewed in detail.
Health officers were directed to coordinate closely with the Jal Shakti Department to ensure the supply of clean drinking water, especially in outbreak-prone and high-risk areas.
In view of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, special instructions were issued for rigorous disease surveillance along the pilgrimage route. Regular water quality testing at Langars and medical camps has been made mandatory and any suspected cases must be reported without delay.
The rising number of snake bite incidents across the division was also discussed. District teams have been asked to intensify public awareness campaigns through ASHAs, ANMs and PRI members, encouraging early referral to health facilities and discouraging reliance on unqualified practitioners. Availability of anti-snake venom and trained staff has been reinforced as a priority at all government hospitals.
The Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety through proactive health monitoring, coordinated field actions and enhanced readiness of the health system across the Jammu Division.