KMC holds ward-level meetings to combat malaria and dengue

The Health department of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is holding ward-level meetings of the vector control department as a part of the year-long programme to combat malaria and dengue.

Earlier, there was a general conception that vector-borne diseases spurt after monsoon and continues till winter. But due to global warming, the outbreak of the disease has been noticed in other seasons of the year. To combat the spread of the disease, KMC is now carrying out a year-long anti larvae drive.

Under the chairmanship of Atin Ghosh, member, Mayor-in-Council (Health), ward-level meetings of the vector control department in eight out of 15 boroughs have been completed. Ghosh asked the health workers to pull up their socks and work seriously.

KMC staff are visiting each and every household and inspecting the underground reservoirs and overhead tanks. If mosquito larvae are found, notices are given to the owners urging them to clean the reservoirs and overhead tanks and ensure that both of them are covered.

The civic authorities have decided to extend the campaign which includes awareness though public address system till July-August. People have been asked to clean containers to store water once a week along with flower vase and pots. People have been requested to visit the KMC centres to get blood samples tested and get medicines free of cost. There are 15 dengue detection centres in the city. There are 141 health centres, one in each ward where blood samples are tested.

It may be recalled that the Union Health ministry has lauded the KMC for its drive to combat malaria and dengue. In 2016, not a single dengue death was reported in KMC area, that is, 144 wards under its jurisdiction because of round-the-year surveillance programmes.