In 1967 the author participated with student nurses in flood relief operations conducted from the Rural Health Training Centre, Najafgarh, India. The training centre is near New Delhi and serves the health needs of 72 villages through three primary health centres and subcentres. For flood relief work, teams of 9-10 workers were created, directed by medical officers. Cholera and typhoid inoculations were provided and nutritional supplements were available for mothers and children. Since sanitation in the villages had been disrupted by the floods, health education on sanitation was provided and wells were disinfected. The programme continued until the water receded. Organization of this flood relief work made it possible to control water-borne diseases during flooding. |