Gandhinagar, August 4: The Gujarat Health Department has significantly intensified its public health response following widespread monsoon flooding, treating more than 1.74 lakh people through medical camps and administering preventive medication to 7.61 lakh residents to curb the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
According to the state government, the response has been carried out under a comprehensive Monsoon Action Plan, implemented across all 34 districts and eight municipal corporations ahead of and during the monsoon season. Authorities said the proactive strategy has helped prevent any major public health emergency despite extensive flooding across several regions.
Statewide Emergency Health Measures Activated
The Health Department has activated 24x7 control rooms at the state, district and municipal levels to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate emergency response efforts.
Rapid Response Teams are operational across the state, district and taluka levels, while every district has been equipped with five additional Emergency Medical Teams, supported by dedicated vehicles and healthcare personnel.
Special attention has also been given to vulnerable populations. Authorities shifted 675 pregnant women from flood-prone areas to healthcare facilities in advance, resulting in 272 safe institutional deliveries during the period. Regular medical check-ups are also being conducted for residents staying in relief camps.
Medical Camps Reach Over 1.74 Lakh People
To minimise the risk of disease outbreaks in flood-affected areas, the department organised 6,868 medical camps, where more than 1.74 lakh people received health examinations, treatment and essential medicines.
Emergency healthcare services have also been strengthened with 1,496 ambulances under the 108 Emergency Service and 816 ambulances attached to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) kept on standby.
Healthcare facilities have been equipped with backup generators and adequate diesel supplies to ensure uninterrupted medical services during power outages.
Massive Surveillance and Safe Water Campaign
More than 18,000 surveillance teams have been deployed for daily door-to-door monitoring in affected areas to identify potential health risks at an early stage.
During these visits, officials distributed over 1.05 crore chlorine tablets and more than 10.29 lakh Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to residents.
To ensure access to safe drinking water, authorities carried out more than 10.52 lakh residual chlorine tests and repaired 3,061 drinking water pipeline leakages on a priority basis.
The Health Department also confirmed that healthcare institutions across the state have adequate stocks of essential supplies, including over 1.5 crore chlorine tablets, 60 lakh ORS packets, and 1,38,234 anti-snake venom injections. Anti-snake venom has also been stocked in 108 emergency ambulances to enable immediate treatment of snakebite cases during the monsoon.
Preventing Leptospirosis and Mosquito-Borne Diseases
As floodwaters receded in several districts, the government launched preventive measures against leptospirosis, a bacterial disease commonly associated with flood conditions.
More than 7.61 lakh high-risk residents in 562 villages across Valsad, Surat, Navsari and Tapi districts received doxycycline as preventive medication.
The state has also deployed 497 additional vector control teams to conduct anti-larval operations and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing mosquito breeding.
Officials said the first round of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) has been completed in 106 high-risk villages, while the second phase began on August 1.
Additionally, larvivorous Gambusia fish have been released into 4,998 permanent water bodies to naturally control mosquito populations.
Public Awareness Campaigns Continue
Health officials said awareness campaigns are being conducted through ASHA workers and vector control teams to educate communities about preventing monsoon-related diseases, maintaining hygiene, using safe drinking water and seeking timely medical care.
The department added that it remains on high alert and will continue monitoring the situation to ensure a swift response to any health challenges arising during the ongoing monsoon season.