Dengue: Municipal Affairs dept directs effective steps

Kolkata: The state Municipal Affairs department has directed all Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations and municipalities across the state to take effective action in destroying the source of mosquito larvae in order to prevent dengue.

The instructions by Onkar Singh Meena, secretary of Municipal Affairs Department, have been sent to all municipal corporations and municipalities across the state.

The direction further states that garbage should be cleared twice on a daily basis and spraying of larvicide and insecticide should be done to contain mosquitoes in affected areas. It further states that the directions has been brought out under the instructions of Municipal Affairs and Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim.

The notification further states that the state government has provided adequate funds for dengue prevention activities. It also mentioned that in case of shortage, the Urban Local Bodies are allowed to use Finance Commission funds and any other admissible funds thereby making it clear that the department means serious business when it comes to combating dengue.

The direction mentions clearly that no supervisor/health officer and conservancy staff should be allowed leaves and all should work overtime and enforce activities even on holidays.

The Municipal Commissioners or development authorities has been advised to intensify prevention activities in their area from time to time and ensure that effective steps are taken in each ward/block as per protocol communicated by state Health & Family Welfare department.

Municipal Affairs secretary has further directed to intensify fever surveillance and organise special fever clinics if need is felt in any area reporting unusual higher fever cases. He has also called for public awareness and advocacy involving elected representatives.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants all Urban Local Bodies and development authorities to discharge their responsibilities effectively involving all stakeholders and coordinate the activities so that incidence of dengue or malaria doesn't recur in their areas," a senior official of Municipal Affairs department said.

At the extended core committee meeting of Trinamool Congress on Wednesday, the Chief Minister had said: "Dengue is changing its character. We do not have control over diseases. We have to remain alert and maintain cleanliness. We must take care. Chairmen and Councilors of various municipalities must visit their areas regularly. Awareness drives must be conducted."

She also lambasted the Opposition parties for their negative role in combating dengue in the state and urged them to join hands with the state government in its fight against dengue.

She also presented figures of dengue deaths and affected people across the country and said that deaths have been much less in Bengal as the state government has taken preventive measures and awareness campaigns about dengue from January this year.