Inter-Ministerial Convergence towards Prevention and Control of Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (JE/ AES) -An Integrated Multi-pronged Public Health Approach

摘要

During a special review in 2011, it was observed that approximately 8000 AES cases and 1200 deaths are reported annually from JE/AES endemic districts with poor infrastructure, lack of critical care and rehabilitation facilities, and low priority to preventive activities. This prompted Government to constitute Group of Ministers (GoM) during November, 2011 to suggest a multi-pronged strategy for Prevention and Control of JE/AES. GoM recommended integration of promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative activities with identified Ministries to address the issue. of complex encephalitis situation in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. These Ministries apart from (i) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare included (ii) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (iii) Ministry of Women and Child Development (iv) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (v) Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) (vi) Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Education) and (vii) Ministry of Rural Development.