On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Gujarat Health Minister Hrishikesh Ganeshbhai, reviewed the preparedness measures taken by the Central and State Administration in Bhuj, in light of the approaching Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’. The very severe cyclone is expected to make landfall on the Gujarat coast on June 15. An official statement revealed that the Union Health Ministry is in constant communication with its regional offices in all states along the west coast, including Gujarat, and has directed them to provide necessary support for preparedness related to the cyclone.
However, as of now, the Ministry has not received any requests for assistance. Six multidisciplinary rapid response medical teams from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), Safdarjung Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, and AIIMS Nagpur have been kept on standby to provide emergency medical care if needed. Additionally, several teams from NIMHANS in Bengaluru are prepared to offer psychotherapy services to affected individuals, as stated in the official statement.
The Union Health Ministry has assigned the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program in all states the responsibility of post-disaster surveillance and surveys through state and district surveillance units. This is to promptly detect any potential epidemics that may arise after the cyclone. If the states require any medical equipment, HLL Lifecare Limited has been tasked with the responsibility of supplying it. The Ministry emphasized that it is closely monitoring the cyclone and taking all necessary measures to address any emerging health issues.
