Yogi Adityanath Government to Begin ‘Dastak’ Campaign In Fight Against Encephalitis And Other Diseases

The Yogi Adityanath government will begin the 'Dastak' campaign in Uttar Pradesh on 1 July. The campaign — aimed at fighting Japanese Encephalitis, malaria, Chikungunya and other diseases — was launched by the Adityanath government in 2018.

Adityanath has directed officials to converge strategies of the health department with other departments in the campaign against the diseases.

Participation of block development officers, Zila Panchayat officers, chief medical officers, school teachers and officers in other departments will be ensured.

In 2018, the campaign had resulted in vaccination of every child against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (ASE) — covering 38 affected districts of the state.

Teams formed by the government went door-to-door in each affected district.

This year, the state government has come up with 73,000 Nigrani Samitis (watch committees). Four lakh people attached to these committees will work towards awareness against the diseases. The Adityanath government has taken similar steps to fight the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

Preparations have been made to equip 3,011 primary health centres and and 855 community health centres for treatment of the diseases. ASHA workers, aganwadi workers, and village panchayats will contribute their mite to the campaign.