Kolkata Municipal Corporation's (KMC) Health department officials and workers on Thursday found Aedes Agypti larvae that cause dengue inside the ESI hospital at Joka.
KMC officials said the situation in Joka ESI hospital is "grim."
KMC has filed a case against Joka ESI hospital authorities in the Municipal Court after the latter did not clear garbage from its premises. KMC had served notices to the authorities for three consecutive years from 2014 and finally filed a case in March 2017.
KMC team led by Atin Ghosh, member, Mayor-in-Council (Health) and Debashis Biswas, chief vector control officer visited the hospital premises on Thursday morning along with senior officials and workers. The superintendent of the hospital also accompanied the KMC team.
Aedes Agypti larvae were found beside the generator room where empty plastic and iron containers had been kept. Aedes larvae were found beside the store room where used tyres had been kept. The larvae were found inside thermocol boxes kept behind the male ward. They were also found in some flower pots. Aedes larvae were found inside some abandoned shoes and plastic containers
beside the kitchen of the construction workers.
Ghosh held a meeting with the hospital superintendent and senior officials of L&T who are carrying out construction at ESI, Joka.
It may be mentioned that civic authorities met senior officials of Central government establishments on August 1 at KMC headquarters on August 1 and it was decided that drives would be conducted in the central government offices and establishments by KMC in presence of Central government staff. The meeting was held after civic employees found it difficult to enter Central government establishments.
Atin Ghosh said it is not possible for KMC alone to prevent spread of dengue and sought cooperation from people. "We are trying our best to check the spread of dengue but people should follow the dos and don'ts. Despite repeated requests, the ESI hospital authorities did not clear the garbage and used tea cups and plastic containers which are potential sources of dengue larvae."
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged all the civic authorities to carry out drives against mosquito-borne diseases seriously. The KMC has set up seven laboratories to detect dengue. Drives are being carried out regularly. Massive campaigns have been launched to create awareness among people.