Patna: The state health department has stepped up preparations for a possible flood situation following flash flooding in the upper catchment of the Gandak river in Nepal and the possibility of a sudden rise in water flow.Health minister Nishant Kumar, who chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday, asked officials to ensure boat ambulances, adequate stocks of essential medicines and vaccines, mapping of pregnant women and temporary medical camps in vulnerable areas.Line listing of pregnant women in flood-prone areas has been completed through ASHAs and ANMs with their expected delivery dates recorded. Women likely to deliver during the flood months will be shifted to nearby primary health centres or safe delivery centres before flooding, in coordination with ICDS and Anganwadi workers.Boat ambulances or boat-based medical facilities will be deployed in remote and inundated areas with doctors, paramedical staff, life-saving medicines and first-aid kits. The 102 ambulance service will remain on round-the-clock alert to shift serious patients to higher medical facilities.The department said BMSICL has ensured buffer stocks of 60 essential and life-saving medicines and vaccines. Anti-snake venom, anti-rabies vaccines, ORS, zinc and Halazone tablets have also been stocked.Temporary medical camps will be set up near relief camps and community kitchens. The department will focus on preventing diarrhoea, cholera, malaria, dengue and skin infections and coordinate with SDRF, NDRF and, if required, the Army for emergency medical assistance.
