Indian Express 3.11.2009
I-cards for labourers after rise in malaria cases
Mhaiskar added that malaria cases and deaths were highest in ten wards - G-south, G-north, F-south, F-north, H-east, H-west, K-east, L ward, D and N ward. “We are concentrating more on these areas as we have found that these are vulnerable places,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BMC admitted that fogging machines in the city were currently not in use because of the structural audit being carried out to assess the condition of the machines.
With the increasing number of malaria cases in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to issue I-cards to labourers to check spread of malaria. According to the civic body, labourers at construction sites are more susceptible to the disease since these sites are breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Officials said 2,530 persons have tested positive for malaria in October this year, out of which 56 have died. All deaths have been in government hospitals. “Malaria cases and deaths have greatly affected those working at construction sites. With the help of these I-cards we will be able to keep a track record of the medical check-ups done,” Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said. The civic body will increase the screening process through mobile vans to curb the incidents. With its mobile van services, the BMC has visited 79 construction sites and screened 4,000 labourers of which 69 were tested positive. “The death rate due to malaria is increasing in the city mainly due to increased construction activities. We will focus more on screening and treating construction workers through mobile van services,” Mhaiskar said.
In July this year, a 32-year-old man, who was using a BMC fogging machine, died after he suffered severe burns when the equipment suddenly burst. “We are carrying out an audit to check if the fogging machines are safe to use,” Mhaiskar said.
