Summer: Health dept issues advisory for hostels, colleges

Mangaluru: In the wake of the soaring temperature, the district health and family welfare department convened a meeting with representatives of educational institutions at the Govt Lady Goschen Hospital auditorium on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by representatives from medical colleges, nursing colleges, the department of public instruction, pre-university education department, degree colleges, technical engineering colleges, and the social welfare department.The meeting focused on the precautionary measures that educational institutions need to take during the summer season. Attendees were briefed on the risks of infectious diseases that spread through contaminated food and water, including Hepatitis A and B, diarrhoea, typhoid fever, and cholera. Information was also provided on testing drinking water sources for safety and implementing chlorination measures. District surveillance officer Dr Naveenchandra Kulal stressed the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards in hostel kitchens, ensuring the safe storage of food items, and properly disposing of solid and liquid waste. He also stressed the need for regular health check-ups for kitchen staff. District health officer Dr HR Thimmaiah said safeguarding students' health and safety is the responsibility of all educational institutions. He urged institutions to ensure that no health-related issues arise and to report any cases immediately to the department along with providing first aid. Students were advised to avoid consuming street food, and institutions were instructed to implement precautionary measures. In case of any complaints regarding unsafe street food, authorities were directed to report them immediately to the Food Safety and Standards Authority. Govt Lady Goschen Hospital medical superintendent Dr Durgaprasad, food safety and standards authority officer Dr Praveen, taluk health officer Dr Sujay and others were present.