the goan I network
MAPUSA
The first monsoon showers may bring a lot of cheer but the wet spell is also credited with spreading vector-borne diseases.
Health officials in Mapusa have taken series of steps to control the spread of vector-borne disease in the municipal area.
The officers of the urban health centre, Mapusa held a meeting with all the schools in Bardez and requested them to identify a teacher who will take responsibility over monsoon-related issues.
“The teacher will oversee there is no mosquito breeding taking place in the school campus. Besides if any child falls ill, the parents will be immediately informed by the teacher,” said Dr Anil Humraskar, Medical Officer at Mapusa UHC.
The medical officer has written to the Mapusa Municipal Council and the deputy collector to ensure all coconut shells dumped at the new bus-stand are removed.
“Most of the hawkers selling tender coconuts dump empty shells at the new bus-stand. These opens shells are fertile mosquito breeding grounds,” Dr Humraskar said.
Besides the health centre has also sent a missive to all scrapyard owners urging them to cover their dumpyard during the monsoon.
Similarly, owners of cold drink godowns have also been informed to either dispose off the bottles or cover them.
The health officials are also keeping a hawk’s eye on the labour class that gather in large number near the Gandhi Chowk, Mapusa.
“Ever Saturday we take blood samples of the daily wage labourers who arrive at the Gandhi Chowk circle. We take down their address and mobile number and if tested positive we track them down and give them treatment,” the medical officer said.
As a routine exercise, health officials regularly visit all construction sites in the municipal area. They ensure that whenever a new batch of construction workers enters the state, they get a health card done and if tested positive they are immediately put on treatment.
Further the field officer carries out once a week cleanliness drive in every ward.
“They inspect the gutters and nullahs and observe stagnation of water and implement anti-larval measure,” Dr Humraskar said. “They also empty open containers and educate people about measures to be adopted to control vector-borne disease during the drive,” he added.
