The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to effectively combat the Encephalitis, popularly known as brain fever in various parts of the country.
Making a statement in response to a calling attention motion by Yogi Aditya Nath of BJP, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, several steps have been taken to combat the disease pertaining to prevention, case management and rehabilitation. He said, the Encephalitis is not only a medical problem but a broader and complex development issue linked to social determinants of health, such as safe drinking water, basic sanitation, personal hygiene and nutrition.
The Minister called for active engagement of various Ministries of Drinking Water Supply, Sanitation and Social Justice, Rural Development and Urban development to successfully implement the multi-pronged strategy.
The Minister also informed the Lok Sabha that 7813 cases of encephalitis have been registered out of which, 1133 deaths were reported during the year. Among the most effected, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 575 deaths, followed by Assam with 250, Bihar 197 and West Bengal with 40 deaths.