Civic bodies brace for dengue threat, offer free tests
Last year, more than 15,000 dengue cases were reported across the capital.
Mayank Manohar
Updated: July 03, 2016, 19:37 IST
Smarting from last year's experience, the three municipal corporations are determined this year not to be caught on the wrong foot as far as vector-borne diseases are concerned. All three municipal corporations have already begun taking steps, for instance, to check dengue, while promising free tests for patients who cannot afford the costs at private labs.
Last year, more than 15,000 dengue cases were reported across the capital. This not only broke a two-decade-old record, but thoroughly exposed the lack of preparedness of the civic bodies too. Till date, 28 cases of dengue have been reported across the capital, which is higher than the count for the corresponding month last year. Public health officials said that with the onset of the rains, additional manpower has been deployed and the corporations are conducting regular checks to ensure mosquito breeding is curbed.
The three corporations have distributed one lakh free mosquito nets across to people in susceptible areas in their wards and procured fogging machines to combat the spread of the winged hazard. East Corporation, in fact, is using a mosquito repellent that "smells like room freshener", as an official put it. South Corporation has readied plans to provide free dengue tests for its constituents. "Last September, we moved a resolution to rope in authorised private labs in our four zones to conduct free tests. There are people who cannot afford overpriced private labs so the corporation will ensure they do not suffer," said Subhash Arya, leader of house of South Corporation.
The labs will conduct tests for free on the recommendation of hospitals, polyclinics and dispensaries of the corporation. "We engaged four labs last year, one in each zone, but this year we will try to involve more labs, so that even if things get out of hand, people do not suffer," added Arya.
Ashish Sood, former leader of the house of the south body , said, "This season, the capital is expected to receive heavy rains, posing a serious threat of vector-borne diseases and we must get our act together." The standing committee of the corporation has directed all the departments concerned to ensure there is no failure in desilting drains.
East Corporation's use of mosquito repellent sprays while conducting regular checks will presumably wear down resistance to fogging and spraying. "Earlier, we used sprays mixed with kerosene oil and many residents wouldn't allow our workers to spray in their houses," said an East official.
In 2013, North Corporation had set up 52 clinics especially for dengue patients, something they could not replicate last year for financial reason. However, senior officials of the public health department of the north body claimed that if the situation got out of hand, 2016 would again see the setting up of more clinics.
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