The Health Ministry has called for a multi-sectoral intervention to contain dengue asking the states to make special efforts for a coordinated action plan with their local civic bodies including Panchayats .

Addressing state health ministers in New Delhi today, Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Centre proposes to introduce universal screening for early detection of diseases, disabilities and deficienies in children.This he said will be followed by free treatment. He said the programme aims at covering around 14 crore children across the country. The Health Minister his ministry is in the process of launching a programme to address health concerns of urban poor, especially those living in slums. Mr. Azad said this will cover all the towns and cities with population above fifty thousand.

He added that the government plans to strengthen district hospitals to provide advance secondary and multi-speciality healthcare. He urged the States to identify the existing gaps and formulate proposals for strengthening of the district hospitals.

Mr Azad said the slow pace in creating health infrastructure is a major area of concern. Stating that irrational deployment of doctors is affecting functionality of the units, the health minister also highlighted the large number of vacancies in high focus districts which have relatively poor health indicators.