MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

DISEASES COMMON  TO THE DISTRICT

Though the diseases of cholera and small-pox were not found to prevail in the district during the period 1961-63, stray cases of these diseases were reported from a few scattered pockets; diarrhoea and dysentery, fever and respiratory diseases were predominant in the district. Besides, the diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy were also prevalent in the district.

Tuberculosis: With a view to curbing the incidence of tuberculosis, the scheme of B. C. G. vaccination was implemented in the district during 1963-64. During the year 1963-64 an expenditure of Rs.-71,000 was incurred upon the same. The following statement gives the statistics regarding B. C. G. vaccinations in the district during 1964 and 1965.

Small-pox: Though the number of deaths due to small-pox shows a sharp decline since 1963, it used to take a heavy toll and even now forms a potential danger to the public health of the district. The only remedy to check the out break of small-pox is to vaccinate the people at their tender age and to revaccinate them whenever stray cases of small-pox are reported from the district. The following statement shows the statistics regarding the anti-small-pox vaccinations carried out in the district during 1961-65.

It can thus be seen from the above statement that the number of vaccinations and re-vaccinations was higher during the years 1962 and 1963 when the incidence of this disease was also higher in the district. However with increasing number of persons being vaccinated or re-vaccinated the incidence of deaths due to small-pox in the district has shown a downward trend.

Cholera: To combat the occurrence of the diseases such as cholera and the like, two types of measures are generally contemplated. The spread of the disease occurs through contaminated water which forms the main carrier of cholera germs and hence attempts are made to improve water supply to the populace so as to prevent the germs entering the human body. But even then a few of them do enter the human body and the disease spreads as it is a contagious one. Measures are then adopted to make human body immune to the germs and this is done through injecting cholera germs in a human body to create the power of resistance.

In 1961, 341 deaths due to cholera were reported in the district No deaths from cholera were reported during 1962 and 1963. In 1964 again 342 deaths were reported as due to cholera. However, no incidence of cholera has been reported in the district since then. This can be attributed to the two types of measures described above and undertaken by the health authorities.

As per the Census of 1961, as regards urban water supply, Akot and Telhara were the only urban places out of nine towns to have adequate supply of drinking water. Water supply at Akola and Washim is protected as these two towns get piped water supply.

The following table shows the supply of hygienic drinking water available in the rural areas of the district.

TABLE No. 1

Sources of hygienic drinking water supply in the rural areas of Akola District (as on 15th June 1964)

Besides improving water supply facilities, preventive measures in the form of inoculations are also undertaken in the district. The following statement gives the number of persons who were given anti-cholera inoculation in the district from 1961 to 1965.

Malaria: Malaria was prevalent in this district too as in other districts of the State or for that matter all over India The malaria eradication unit was established in the district covering the entire district. The following statement shows the details of the coverage of spraving done and insecticide used during 1961-62.

The following statement shows the details of active surveillance for 1961.

The following statement gives the details of passive surveillance at Akola.

During the Years 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64 an expenditure of Rs. 0.70 lakhs, Rs. 0.70 lakhs and Rs. 3.08 lakhs, respectively was incurred in The district on malaria eradication.

Leprosy: The incidence of leprosy per 1,000 in the district of Akola was placed at 10.56 in 1961 as against an incidence of 8.56 for the Stale. Various measures arc adopted to control the disease and leprosy survey, education and treatment units have been established at many places.

A leprosy control centre was established at Murtizapur in the district in 1959-60. There were in the district survey, education and treatment units working under the Stale Government and the Zilla Parishad. A unit at Karanja is controlled by the municipal committee.

The following statement gives the details regarding the work done by a leprosy subsidiary centre at Murtizapur in the district in 1961.

The following statement gives the details of the work done by all the leprosy units in the district during 1962-1964.

TOP