HMC forms high power committee to monitor work against vector-borne diseases

Kolkata: Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has formed a high power monitoring committee for better execution of work to check vector-borne diseases.

The committee is headed by Mayor Dr Rathin Chakraborty, while commissioner Bijin Krishna is the convenor.

The other members of the committee include Bhaskar Bhattacharjee, Member Mayor-in-Council (Health) and senior officials of all the concerned departments.

In a bid to ensure checking of vector-borne diseases in all the 66 wards of HMC, the authorities have taken proactive steps and the committee has been formed to make sure that all the necessary tasks are carried out at the right time.

There will be at least one meeting of the committee in a week, in which there will be discussions on different related issues.

Bhattacharjee said: "The main task of the committee would be to ensure timely completion of all projects and its meeting will be held soon."

It may be mentioned that there are 80,000 health workers of HMC who visit door-to-door on a regular basis and collect information to know if there is anyone who is suffering from high fever.

The health workers report immediately to the concerned officials, in case they find anyone suffering from any vector-borne disease.

The officials take all necessary steps to ensure that no more people from the area suffer from the diseases.

At the same time, the civic body has a rapid action team that works to carry out necessary tasks at major institutions. Presence of a separate team to work in these places ensures that the workers who are deployed at respective wards, can continue with their work in a specific place, without getting disturbed.

The high level monitoring committee will assess the work that will be undertaken every week and accordingly, necessary decisions will be taken if any changes are required.

It may be mentioned that there is a separate committee for each district, headed by the respective district magistrates. But HMC has now formed its own high level monitoring committee, to ensure that residents of its 66 wards do not have to suffer from vector-borne diseases.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier held a high level meeting at Nabanna over the issue and directed all concerned authorities to take necessary measures in this regard.

Accordingly, all the authorities have taken the necessary measures and now, HMC has formed the high level monitoring committee.