KMC to answer queries on vector-borne diseases

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will hold a unique interactive session with public to answer their queries on vector-borne diseases on Saturday.

The programme will be held at Uttam Mancha. Apart from the ward councilors, primary care physicians, doctors of KMC, health supervisors and borough vector control in charges will also be present at the event. This is for the first time when such interactive sessions on health related issued will be held.  The programme is the result of the initiative taken by the member, Mayor in council (health) Atin Ghosh. Earlier, KMC, while framing the unit area assessment system, had held interactive meetings with property tax payers and the suggestions given by them were incorporated while preparing the policy. Mayor Sovan Chatterjee has said that the functions of KMC are transparent and people have every right to ask questions about its functioning. The KMC has taken elaborate measures to control the spread of diseases like Malaria and Dengu. The number of people affected by these diseases has decreased. In the early 1990s, Malaria was a major threat and vast areas including Bhowanipore and Kalighat became the epicenter of the disease. Now, the disease prone areas have been identified and intensive larvae killing drives have been carried out. KMC health workers regularly visit the houses and issue notices to the owners asking them to clean the overhead tanks and underground reservoirs. KMC has also carried out massive campaigns making people aware about the dos and don’ts. In a major step, the KMC has converted ward health offices into treatment centers. People suffering from cold, fever, respiratory problems can go to these centers and get themselves treated.  Earlier, these facilities were available only in the KMC dispensaries. 

There are 141 ward health units. The medicines are given free of cost to the patients. It may be recalled that the Centre has applauded the steps taken by the KMC to combat the spread of vector borne diseases. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has also lauded the effort made by KMC in providing health care facilities to the citizens.