From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jun 21: With the onset of monsoon, Karnataka is gearing up to face the challenge of curbing the outbreak of waterborne diseases and the spread of malaria, dengue, chikungunya and A (H1N1) virus, which have been reported from several districts.

Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu held a review meeting of the District Surgeons and District Health Officers in Bangalore on Tuesday to discuss the precautionary measures to be taken.

Sriramulu told reporters after the meeting that the Health Department has already directed all District Health Officers (DHOs) to maintain close coordination with the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to ensure availability of medicines and staff in health centres and hospitals during the rainy season.

A total of 664 cases of malaria were reported from across the State so far this year against 7,674 malaria cases and 11 deaths in 2010.

Dengue claimed lives of two persons in this year against seven last year. The number of confirmed dengue cases were 2285 in 2010 and 102 so far in this year, the Minister said.

Following reports of chikungunya cases resurfacing in the State, the Department has launched a series of measures to contain the disease. So far, 64 cases of the disease were reported this year against 1430 in 2010.

Sriramulu said A(H1N1) virus has claimed the lives of 120 persons last year and six this year so far.

A total of 2552 confirmed cases for A (H1N1) were reported last year against 31 cases this year, he said.

The virus ‘A’ claimed life of one person each in Bangalore, Yadgiri, Shimoga, Davanagere, Bellary and Udupi in this year.

The Minister said nearly 1000 vacant specialists and MBBS doctors’ posts would be filled in another two months.

The Deputy Commissioners would be directed to recruit MBBS doctors on a contract basis. As many as 600 specialists’ vacancies were existed in various district hospitals and steps have been taken to recruit them, he said.