DMO attributes spread to migrant labourers in region
A lorry cleaner sets up a mosquito net above his vehicle stationed at Gandhi Nagar in his bid to have a mosquito-free nap. (Photo: DC)
KOCHI: Several areas in Thrikkakkara municipality, a major hub of construction activities in the district, are under the grip of vector-borne infectious diseases. With the summer rains being sharp, several cases of malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, hepatitis, chickenpox and chikungunya have already been reported from Thrikkakkara, especially among migrant labourers. Four cases of malaria have been reported so far.
There are apprehensions over the increase in the number of infectious diseases and their possible outbreak during the monsoon. During a meeting convened by municipal authorities, chaired by Benny Behanan MLA, it has been decided to intensify pre-monsoon sanitation work.
There are complaints about the lack of doctors in the primary and community health care centres. “Being an area where largescale construction activities take place, there are several migrant labour camps within the municipal limits. Most of these camps have poor sanitation facilities. The ill-maintained construction worksites and rampant dumping of garbage in open spaces also pose serious health hazards as they are breeding grounds of mosquitoes,” said a civic official.
According to municipal chairman P.I. Muhammadali, unless pre-monsoon sanitation works are carried out effectively, it will be tough to manage the ons-laught of monsoon-related disease outbreaks.
The meeting attended by municipal councillors and health department officials urged the public to cooperate with sanitation measures and not to dump solid waste in open spaces.
Meanwhile, district medical officer Dr K.V Beena told DC that though several malaria cases were reported from Thrikkakkara, none of them was ‘indigenous’. “Areas where migrant labourers dominate are mainly afflicted with the disease. Indigenous malaria has not been found here for quite some time and all the cases reported are of people who had visited other states. When labourers return from their native place, they carry the disease,” she said.
Health department to draw up plan:
In view of the increase in the number of infectious diseases, the health department has chalked out a comprehensive action plan to prevent the outbreak of diseases. In association with municipal authorities, the health department will carry out sanitation works, fogging and vector control programmes in all wards.
The department has already allocated Rs 10, 000 to each ward for sanitation drive. “The health officials have collected blood samples from the areas from where cases of mal-aria have been reported. Pre-monsoon sanitation and disease prevention measures will be intensified,” said DMO Dr K.V. Beena.
Strict action will be taken against those who dump toilet waste in certain areas within the municipal limits during night. The city police commissioner has been requested to strengthen police patrolling in these areas and to seize lorries engaged in waste dumping.
It has been decided to conduct house visits by health workers, spraying at mosquito breeding sources and waste removal with the support of residents’ associations and the Kudumbasree Mission.
Participation of schools and school students in sanitation measures will be sought and awards will be given to the schools for best performance. Awareness classes will be conducted in all Anganwadis.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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