SOP spells out 24x7 medical services in flood-affected areas of Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Health Department has issued an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) cancelling the leave of all medical staff, including joint health directors, to ensure round-the-clock medical services during the flood.

The SOP issued by Principal Secretary of Health Department Avinash P Joshi instructed all Joint Directors of Health to form a medical team comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, MPWs, vaccinators and others within their respective jurisdictions. If needed, they will have to make facilities for the Covid-19 test available, the SOP said.

"Since 80 per cent area of Assam is under the grip of floods, the Health Department is ready to render 24X7 services to the flood-affected people. The department instructed all district health officers accordingly," the SOP said. It also asked the district health authorities to set up a medical control room in every district. The SOP has spelt out that all directorates of the Health Department should set up medical control rooms and all-district health offices to inspect the stock of medicines. In case of inadequate medicine stock, they should inform the Directorate of Health for supplies.

The SOP asked the district health officers to inspect if district hospitals, community health centres and public health centres in flood-affected areas work smoothly.

It also asked the district health officers to be ready to meet the post-flood health hazards like fever, diarrhoea etc. It asked the officers to keep medicine stocks, besides making arrangements for containment measures in PHCs, CHCs etc. In case of any outbreak, doctors and paramedical and other staff from headquarters should rush there immediately to bring the situation under control.

The SOP asked the district health officers to resort to fogging to keep vector-borne diseases at bay at relief camps. It asked the joint directors to give special attention to pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, children and senior citizens with comorbidities. In case of any emergency in flood-affected areas, medical teams should immediately set up camp there.

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