Delhi CM asks all stakeholders to ensure a Mosquito Free Delhi this year

Delhi CM asks all stakeholders to ensure a Mosquito Free Delhi this year

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday asked all stakeholders to make all possible efforts for a Mosquito Free Delhi to ensure that the national capital does not witness a spurt in vector borne diseases this year.

The announcement was made by the Chief Minister in a meeting to review the preparedness of all stakeholder departments for countering the threat of vector borne diseases (Chikungunya/Dengue) particularly following the Monsoon in Delhi.

“All stakeholders – Delhi government, civic agencies and all concerned need to work in close coordination to ensure a Mosquito Free Delhi this year. Steps are taken every year to provide treatment to those who suffer from vector borne diseases, but this year the stress has to be on prevention of breeding of mosuuiotes,” Kejriwal said, addressing the meeting.

The meeting at the Delhi Secretariat was attended by all the ministers, senior officials of the Delhi government, three MCDs and NDMC, all Medical Superintendants of Delhi government hospitals and MLAs of Delhi.

The Health Department and the civic agencies made presentations of their Plans of Action for prevention of Chikungunya and Dengue this year.

Salient features of the presentations included :

1)      Household visits to check possible mosquitoes breeding points

2)      Desilting of drains to prevent waterlogging during Monsoon

3)      Comprehensive awareness campaigns to make the residents of Delhi aware about the dangers of possible mosquito breeding points at home and around

4)      Observance of dry days once a week by all residents, during which water coolers and flower pots to be thoroughly checked for ensuring there is no possibility of mosquitoes breeding

5)      Surprise inspections by officers in areas under their jurisdiction.

The Chief Minister and the council of ministers asked the concerned departments to immediately start the implementation of their Plans of Action.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain informed in the meeting that all Delhi government hospitals are being directed to prepare for extra beds and sufficient stocks of medicines in advance given the experience of recent years to cope with the rush.

Maximum prices of tests by private labs will be capped and fever clinics will be functional in advance keeping in mind the experience of recent years.

Chief Minister gave the following directions :

1)      A control room with a helpline number should be set-up at the earliest to provide information about the availability of beds in Delhi government hospitals during the vector borne diseases season.

2)      An inter-state meeting be convened with officials of NCR towns to ensure coordinated efforts for prevention of mosquito breeding during and after Monsoon.

3)       All public representatives should have the numbers of all Medical Superintendants of Delhi government hospitals for better coordination.

It has been decided to review the steps taken in this meeting in follow-up meetings to be held regularly now.