Mosquito control: Corporation yet to receive master plan

Friday, 26 December 2014 09:41 administrator
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The Hindu      26.12.2014  

Mosquito control: Corporation yet to receive master plan

It was prepared over two years ago for the city

A comprehensive master plan prepared over two years ago by public health experts exclusively for Madurai city to control mosquito-borne diseases and reduce mosquito density is yet to reach the Corporation authorities.

The Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) here announced in Chennai in September 2011 that it would commission a city-specific scientific plan for Madurai after studying mosquito breeding patterns, areas, biting times and water storage practices among other things.

In 2012, its Director B.K. Tyagi told The Hindu that a preliminary demonstrable report was prepared after studying the landscape of the city and a 100-page mosquito control mission document would be submitted to the Corporation after getting a clearance from the scientific advisory committee of the CRME.

The report, “Master plan for mosquito control in Madurai,” is, however, yet to reach the Corporation .

Members of the CRME scientific advisory committee met here on December 23 and 24 to discuss projects and proposals but the master plan did not figure in the agenda.

Surprising delay

“We are surprised over the delay in submitting the crucial report to the Corporation. I don’t know where it got stuck and the available information is that the master plan for Madurai is still in circulation,” S. Elango, former Director of Public Health, a member of the advisory committee, said on Wednesday.

According to him, the document contains effective suggestions and solutions to the Corporation on tackling mosquitoes.

Dr. Tyagi earlier said that practical solutions were given based on historical evidence, waste disposal system, waste recycling, preventing water stagnation, topography, climate, ecological and biological aspects of mosquito-breeding here.

Everything ready

“We collated a lot of data on dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Drainage system too was studied. An analysis of staff availability in Corporation, fever reporting and surveillance mechanism was done before finalising the master plan,” Dr. Elango said.

The mosquito control mission document contains effective suggestions and solutions to the City Corporation on tackling the pressing problem