Udupi : A Rapid Response Team to provide medical aid has been formed to cater to the health needs of people during heavy rainfall and natural disasters in Udupi district.

Chairing a meeting of the District-level Surveillance Committee at the District Offices Complex here Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said on Tuesday, the Rapid Response Team has been formed as a precautionary measure and it would be pressed into service during natural disasters, when necessary. This team of specialist doctors has been formed with the objective of reaching out immediately to those suffering from health ailments during monsoon and natural disasters. This team would comprise officers and assistants and would play a vital role in preventing loss of life and providing medical relief. Ms. Francis directed District Health and Family Welfare Officer Rohini to stock essential medicine to be used during natural disasters. The Health Department should prepare itself to prevent any water-borne diseases which could break out during monsoon.

People in areas affected by floods about a week ago should boil water properly and put Halazone Chlorine tablets in necessary quantity in it as per the directions of the Health Department before consuming it, she said.

Chlorination of all sources of water should be done properly. All efforts should be made to see that there was no stagnation of water around sources of drinking water. The department should launch a public awareness campaign on all these issues and the people should also be made aware of water-borne diseases, Ms. Francis said.

Shivanand Kapashi, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, and other district-level officers, were present.