Gandhinagar, July 7 (IANS) With heavy rainfall and red alerts issued for several parts of Gujarat, the state government has placed the health department on alert and reviewed emergency preparedness to ensure uninterrupted medical services and adequate supplies of essential medicines across vulnerable districts.

A high-level review meeting was chaired on Tuesday by state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, who met senior Health Department officials to assess the situation in all districts, including the availability of medicines and the readiness of healthcare facilities.

Speaking after the meeting, Pansheriya said the government had taken precautionary steps as the monsoon season typically brings an increase in water-borne diseases and cases of poisonous insect and animal bites.

“During the rainy season, cases of water-borne diseases and poisonous insect or animal bites tend to increase. Keeping this in mind, all necessary medicines have been stocked in every 108 ambulance service across the state,” he said.

The minister added that contingency measures had also been put in place to prevent shortages of medicines in affected areas.

“If medicines run short in any area, immediate supplies can be obtained from the nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC) or Community Health Centre (CHC). A robust arrangement has also been made to ensure that teams of doctors and paramedical staff remain available round the clock at all health centres,” he said.

Pansheriya said special instructions had been issued to the health machinery in districts placed under red alert, including Amreli’s Rajula taluka and in the Saurashtra region, as well as Surat, Navsari, Valsad and neighbouring districts in south Gujarat.

“The state government has taken the overall situation very seriously, and health teams have been placed on alert in all districts,” he said.

The minister said there was currently no serious health emergency or alarming situation anywhere in Gujarat, describing the review meeting as a precautionary exercise aimed at ensuring preparedness before any deterioration in weather conditions.

“Today’s meeting was convened as a precautionary measure to assess the situation in every district and ensure the safety of citizens. Clear instructions have been issued to immediately address any shortcomings in the healthcare system wherever they are identified,” he said.

The review comes as Gujarat continues to experience widespread monsoon activity, with heavy rainfall affecting several districts and authorities maintaining heightened vigilance in areas forecast to receive further intense rain.

The Health Department said medical infrastructure, emergency ambulance services and district health teams have been kept on standby to respond to any rain-related public health emergencies.

–IANS

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