LUCKNOW: A small fry from the coastal belt of India could prove a potent weapon in the battle against the menace of Japanese encephalitis in eastern Uttar Pradesh. This small killer fish, Gambusia, is known for devouring mosquito larvae - 100 to 300 per day. So, the UP government has added it to its armoury for controlling mosquitoes, which are primary responsible for the spread of the dreaded disease that has claimed more than 5,000 lives in the past seven years.

BHUBANESWAR: Even as Odisha battles with high incidence of diarrhoea among children, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is all set to launch an extensive programme on ‘Management and prevention of childhood diarrhoea’ to combat the menace in the State. The programme would be launched in five districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Kandhamal in association with Unicef and NRHM. These five districts, which are predominantly tribal, have been witnessing frequent outbreaks of cholera over the recent years.

While hospitals and medical colleges in West Bengal are grappling with frequent cases of infant deaths, the State Health department has issued a directive to all State-run hospitals to conduct an in-house inquiry in the event of three or more infant deaths on a single day.

Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya told The Hindu on Wednesday that the directive was issued to make sure that there was no negligence by hospital authorities in providing treatment to newborns.

The East corporation has decided to conduct free health check-up camps for its safai karamcharis, gardeners and nullah cleaners every week. The check-up camps will begin from June 9. “The health of safai karamcharis is a cause of concern. Their work requires them to be in unhygienic places. Due to this, there is a high mortality rate among the workers and many suffer from occupational hazards. Keeping this in mind, the corporation will conduct special medical camps for them,” Sajjan Singh Yadav told Newsline.

Lahore—The administration of Lahore General Hospital has launched a website regarding dengue awarness and control. Principal PGMI & LGH Prof. Tariq Salahuddin while presiding over a meeting, attended by MS. LGH Dr. Mohammad Hassan and senior professors, said that citizens could watch the website to get information and guidance regarding dengue. People can also contact senior doctors and professors through face book linked with the website in order to have consultancy, he said.

Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to add Reproductive Health (RH) service component to Disaster Response and Disaster Mitigation Plan at the state and district levels. This was decided at a joint advocacy meeting presided over by Development Commissioner Rabi Narayan Senapati at the State secretariat here on Tuesday.