World | India
Delhi gears up to deal with dengue crisis in city
A worried federal health ministry Friday held a high level meeting to effectively deal with the rising cases of dengue in the metropolis
- By Ajay Jha, Chief Correspondent
- Published: 19:20 September 3, 2010
New Delhi: A worried federal health ministry Friday held a high level meeting to effectively deal with the rising cases of dengue in the metropolis.
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad convened the meeting in which senior officials of his ministry including health secretary Sujatha Rao, Delhi’s health minister Kiran Walia, Delhi Mayor Prithviraj Sawhney, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner K.S. Mehra, and officials of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Safdarjung hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia hospital were present.
“The meeting focussed on brining coordination between various agencies to control the (dengue) outbreak,” Azad said after the meeting.
So far 1,155 cases of dengue have been reported, including one confirm death, although private health practioners say official figures are fudged and the actual figure could be at least three times higher.
While rains continue to lash the metropolis and the resultant water logging has started casting doubts over successful hosting of the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games. Dengue has become the second biggest threat to the games after terror threats.
"A five point agenda has been prepared. The next review meeting will be held after 15 days," Delhi health minister Kiran Walia said.
According to Azad, a massive cleaning drive will be launched by MCD and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) across the city. 33 centres are being set up for speedy diagnosis and treatment of dengue cases.
Besides, services of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have been sought. RWAs would be provided with chemicals for use in their respective areas especially around stagnant waters.
Dengue is showing no signs of abetting. Dengue mosquitoes have a lifespan of 45 days. With rains continuing and filling up low-lying areas of the city as well as ditches which were dug up for Commonwealth Games related projects, these deadly mosquitoes would still be alive by the time the games are held.
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has made special arrangements of regular fumigation and fogging of all stadiums and the games village.
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