MARGAO
Construction sites across the State will be the major focus of attention of health services in the ensuing monsoon with the neighbouring States registering a surge in dengue cases even as the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme on Thursday launched a mission to tackle dengue with a theme “Connect with community to control dengue”.
The health services have planned to work in close coordination with the community and the stakeholders, including the Captain of Ports, Fisheries, KTC, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies for a united exercise to control dengue.
With the urban areas in South Goa, including Margao, Vasco and Cortalim and the IDC, Mapusa and the Candolim-Siolim construction belt in the North emerging as dengue hot spots last year, special focus will be laid on these areas to prevent outbreak of dengue in the ensuing monsoon.
Deputy Health Director, Dr Kalpana Mahatme said the theme 'Connect with community to control dengue' is apt in the prevailing situation, saying that only community participation can help keep dengue at bay.
“Last year, Margao, Vasco and Cortalim were identified as dengue hot spots because of a surge in cases. Dengue cases were detected in Margao at the construction sites and housing societies, while the migrant settlement at Cortalim was the cause behind the surge in cases. At New Wadem, dengue cases saw a rise over the issue of water storage by the people,” she said.
Dr Mahatme cautioned that the DHS will not be able to keep dengue at bay unless the community and the stakeholders join hands in handling the menace. “We all do firefighting, but if we take preventive measures before the first monsoons, the cases will come down. More than half the work on dengue will be done if the community extends support to the programme,” she added.
She said the department has issued SOPs to all government departments, including IDC, where labourers come for work, besides the KTC to take care of worn-out tyres. “We have also issued SOP to the Registrar of Societies since the health workers cannot enter the housing societies without permission. We have requested the Registrar to send an advisory to the housing societies to take care of water accumulation in and around the apartments,” she added.
