Maintain hygiene to avoid acute encephalitis: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday exhorted people to maintain hygiene to avoid acute encephalitis.

He said all the vector borne diseases, including encephalitis, occur due to unhygienic practice of defecation in open places.

Referring to the recent deaths of infants in a Gorakhpur hospital, Adityanath said "Encephalitis disease was first reported in eastern Uttar Pradesh in 1978, and since then if the infants of eastern UP are losing their life due the disease then its main reason is garbage and practice of open defecation."

Over 30 infants suffering from encephalitis have died at Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital due to alleged disruption in the supply of liquid oxygen.

Aditynath was addressing Ganga Gram Conclave here wherein Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Uma Bharti and Urban Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also participated.

He further added that this is a challenge for everyone and a solution has also been found.

"Government can't be a problem and if it is a problem then it is not entitled to rule. Governments should give solutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given us a solution to via Swachh Bharat Mission," the Chief Minister said.

He lauded the nationwide cleanliness drive started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014.

"Swachh Bharat Mission will surely fulfil its goal. Swachh Bharat is not just a slogan but it is our resolve to fulfil the Swasth Bharat (healthy India), Samarth Bharat (Capable India) dream," Adityanath said.

He also briefed about his government's efforts in constructing toilets under Swachh Bharat mission.

"Since we came to power, 1011 villages on the banks of the Ganga have become ODF (Open Defecation Free). The government has fulfilled the goal of making three districts ODF. We have set target of making 30 districts ODF by December 31, 2017," Adityanath said, and added that "we will make UP ODF by October 2018".

He also exhorted the government officials to ensure best quality septic tanks are constructed under toilet construction drive to avoid acute encephalitis like conditions.