VASCO
Taking serious note of the many dengue cases in and around the port town, Mormugao Deputy Collector Mahadev Arondekar has directed health officials and other representatives to take all preventive measures.
At a special meeting convened with health officers, labour inspectors, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) officials, block development officer, panchayat members and other officials on Friday afternoon, Arondekar instructed those present to conduct regular check-ups at places where stagnant water was seen.
Later speaking to reporters, Arondekar said he had issued strict directions to all those present at the meeting to ensure that no more cases of dengue are reported in Mormugao taluka.
“Cases have been reported in Sada which is witnessing water scarcity. As a result water was stored in open barrels allowing dengue mosquitoes to breed. Health officers have been asked to conduct awareness programmes so that people can cover these barrels with a wet cloth.”
“Regina Mundi school in Chicalim was the latest victim of dengue. I have directed health officers to jointly address issues and clear breeding sites as the area is vast,” he said. “In one particular case, mosquito breeding was found in water collected on the branches of a tree.”
“Some labourers at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) had contracted dengue due to stagnant water at construction sites,” said the deputy collector.
Arondekar said he had also directed all officials present to contact him in case they faced difficulties, so that he could personally visit places where people were uncooperative.
“I have directed all officials to seek strict compliance of guidelines for construction sites. If builders don’t comply with the guidelines, then withdraw NOCs issued by Health, MMC, Labour Inspector or Panchayat.”
“I have also informed all officials to impose regular fines on anyone who violates norms laid by statutory departments and to give me regular reports regarding the dengue menace,” said Arondekar.
