OLD GOA
When it comes to Chimbel Primary Health Centre (PHC), normally it is villages like Chimbel and Taleigao which are on the radar for dengue cases and other vector-borne diseases.
However, this year it was Santa Cruz village which saw significant number of dengue cases which caught the authorities unawares.
Incidentally, when the name Chimbel props up, it normally gives an impression that it is the Chimbel village that is affected. However, the Chimbel PHC comprises other villagers like Merces, Santa Cruz and Taleigao as well.
When contacted by The Goan on the issue, sarpanch Jennifer de Oliveira informed that it was the first time around that so many dengue cases were reported in Santa Cruz. “Previously we did not see so many dengue cases,” Oliveira added.
To a question whether the panchayat does not conduct cleanliness drive before the onset of monsoon to ensure cleanliness, Oliveira said the panchayat did conduct several awareness camps with door-to-door visits along with the health officials but still dengue cases were reported.
Situation under control
To another question, sarpanch Oliveira said the situation is now under control in the village but she stated that the panchayat along with the Chimbel PHC officials will hold awareness drives in the entire village to ensure that the situation is not repeated.
Deputy Sarpanch Manguesh Gawas, in whose ward majority of the cases were reported, informed that the situation is under control now but are constantly monitoring the situation along with with the health officials.
Awareness drive
When contacted, Chimbel PHC in-charge Dr Shubangi Bandekar informed that her team is conducting awareness drives, anti-larval drives, fogging drives in a bid to keep vector-borne diseases like dengue under control.
“At the moment, the situation is under control in all the villages, including Santa Cruz and Taleigao,” Dr Bandekar informed.
