District Development Commissioner Reasi Nidhi Malik kick starts 15-Day Campaign for preventive measures against water-borne diseases

REASI: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Reasi  Nidhi Malik today launched a 15-day campaign to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases in the aftermath of recent floods and landslides. The campaign, being carried out across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, will focus on intensive water quality testing, sanitation drives and awareness generation to ensure safe potable water for all. The initiative is being coordinated and monitored at the district level by DDC Reasi Nidhi Malik with the active participation of multiple departments.

Speaking at the launch, the DDC highlighted that the campaign will primarily target flood-affected areas, landslide-hit zones, inundated geographical regions and rehabilitation sites. She emphasized that sufficient chlorine tablets shall be provided by the Health Department and people will also be educated about alternate methods of water purification. She directed Field-level staff from all departments to work in close coordination and suggest alternate safe sources of potable water wherever needed.

Under the campaign, the Jal Shakti Department will conduct extensive water quality testing through laboratories and spread awareness through mobile vans about safe consumption and storage of drinking water. The Health and Medical Education Department will promote preventive healthcare, share alerts on water-borne diseases and mobilize community participation.

DDC Reasi told RRD Department to organize sanitation drives at traditional water bodies, water supply assets and scheme sources while sensitizing people on hygiene practices. The Education Department will demonstrate water quality testing in schools and colleges, conduct sanitation drives, and educate students on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) practices. Similarly, the Social Welfare Department will carry out sanitation drives in Anganwadi Centres, promote WASH practices and facilitate water testing through nearby laboratories.

The DDC further directed the SDMs to properly monitor and ensure the effective implementation of the campaign in their respective subdivisions. Field-level officers, including Tehsildars and BDOs, were also instructed to coordinate with sectoral officers to ensure the success of the campaign.

The DDC underlined that the campaign is a preventive health measure as well as a community-driven initiative, aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring access to safe drinking water during and after natural calamities. ADDC Reasi Sukhdev Singh, CPO Narinder Kumar, PO ICDS, XENs, CEO, CMO, DSWO and other stakeholders were present.