Eradication of JE not possible without total vaccination: Azad

Lucknow: Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the eradication of Japanese Encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh was not possible till cent per cent vaccination was not achieved in areas affected by the disease.

"For the eradication of JE in the affected areas of UP, it is vital that the state uses all the vaccines provided by the Centre," Azad told reporters after meeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at his residence. "Till now all people are not being vaccinated...The state has said it will make efforts to ensure that maximum people are vaccinated," he said. "Last year, I visited JE prone areas after which the Prime Minister constituted a group of ministers, which made some suggestions, meant to be implemented jointly by the Centre and the state" he said. Fund has been released for the modernisation of district hospitals in areas affected by JE, he said adding, the state has been asked to utilise the funds immediately. Several health related issues were discussed with the CM, he said. "This year, the Ministry has sanctioned Rs 4,186 crore to UP under the National Rural Health Mission," he said. Azad said that the ministry wants the infrastructure related works like districts hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community and primary health centres should be completed at the earliest. "Because often it has been seen that completing infrastructure related works takes time due to which people get deprived of the facility and cost escalates creating burden on the government," he said. "The issue was discussed and the CM has said that he himself would monitor and take review the situation," he said. He said the Rs 4,186 crore sanctioned to UP, includes the setting up of 100-bedded hospitals for women and children at 50 district hospitals. "Besides 50 beds each would be added in 12 sub-district hospitals and 30 bed each at 78 community health centres. Overall 140 new hospitals have been sanctioned," he said. Azad said that the project would involve an expenditure of Rs 1,300 crore of which half has been released this year and remaining would be devolved next year. "Among other things there is school health programme. Health of children should be good and screening should be done for which 840 vehicles along with paramedics and doctors have been sanctioned. This would be a big facility," he said. In a reply to a question, the minister said that the number of AIIMS should be higher, but there were some hurdles due to slowdown. PTI