Mosquito larvae found in National Medical College

The Health department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Thurday found mosquito larvae in four or five pockets at the National Medical College and Hospital during a drive, Atin Ghosh, member, Mayor-in-council (Health) said.

Ghosh, who led the drive, was accompanied by senior KMC officials. The Principal and medical superintendent of the National Medical College and Hospital, and senior officials of the Public Works department were also present during the drive.

The KMC has taken the decision to conduct drives in all state-run hospitals and offices, as part of its 

drive against dengue and malaria. On Friday, the drive will be conducted at the New Secretariat building.

This is for the first time that drives are being carried out in a systematic manner. Drives have already been conducted at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Nilratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital, and RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Drives will be conducted at SSKM Hospital, Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, Bangur Hospital and Bangur Institute of Neurology.

Ghosh said mosquito larvae were found in four to five pockets. It was decided that the hospital authorities and KMC would conduct joint drives and the guidelines to conduct the drives had been prepared by the civic authorities.

Few thousand people visit the hospital outdoor every day, and the hospital authorities manage to keep the premises clean despite the heavy footfall. There were some pockets where stagnant water was spotted. Samples were tested, which led to the discovery of the larvae. Immediate steps were taken to sanitise the premises.

It may be recalled that malaria had taken the form of an epidemic in south Kolkata, particularly in Bhowanipore and Kalighat, in the 1990s. Almost every residence in these areas had at least one person suffering from malaria or malignant malaria.

After coming to power in 2010, Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee held a meeting with health department officials in presence of Ghosh and a comprehensive plan was chalked out. 

High risk zones were identified and drives were conducted to check the spread of malaria and dengue.

As of now, KMC has well-equipped labs and five dengue-dedicated labs. People have been requested to visit KMC labs and get their blood tested if they are suffering from fever or other symptoms.

Not only are the medicines given for free, but the doctors follow the dosage as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).