SDMC asks schools, offices to adopt steps to check mosquito-borne diseases

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has asked educational institutions, offices and hospitals  to step up measures to check spread of vector-borne diseases. Waterlogging has been reported from many government agencies, private offices,  hospitals and educational institutions.

SDMC commissioner PK Goel has directed the officials concerned to check mosquito-breeding in their respective areas. The commissioner said that despite having been requested to adopt measures to check mosquito breeding on their premises, several government agencies, private offices and other institutions had failed to so do. 

The Central Cross Checking Team of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, National Institute of Malaria Research and South Corporation have reported mosquito-breeding from different government offices including hospitals, police stations, schools, residential areas and construction sites.

Goel added that according to the last year’s data, 65 per cent dengue cases were reported in the age group of 15 to 45 years. He, therefore, asserted that the officials concerned should concentrate on measures adopted by schools, colleges and offices to check mosquito breeding. He has requested the heads of educational institutions and offices to cooperate in controlling mosquito breeding. The commissioner has requested schools, colleges, hospitals and government/ private offices to ensure that overhead  water tanks and containers on their premises are properly covered and drainage pipes/ air vents are covered with wire mesh.

He has advised people to buy NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) designed coolers that prevents mosquito breeding. Such coolers may be used instead of conventional desert coolers. Goel has also requested the heads of various organisations to nominate a nodal officer each to ensure the compliance of the corporation’s advisory to check mosquito breeding. He has asked them to communicate the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the nodal officers to the corporation. 

He said the Delhi Municipal Corporation bye-laws 1975 on malaria and other vector-borne diseases provide for an action to be taken against the authorities concerned for failing to adopt preventive measures. The failure is punishable with a fine of up to Rs 500.

He has sent an advisory to all offices of central and state government, CPWD, PWD, DDA, Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board, DMRC. Registrars of all universities and deemed university in Delhi, associations of professionals and all associations of traders/ chambers of commerce.