The Hindu             31.07.2013 

Door-to-door health campaign

The Health Department of the Tuticorin Corporation has launched a door-to-door campaign here on Tuesday to create an awareness among the people about the preventive measures to be taken to ward off vector-borne and water-borne diseases.

Health Officer Pradeep V.Krishnakumar said seven teams had been formed to conduct the drive effectively in various parts of the Corporation. During the campaign, the residents were educated on the need to maintain good health. The programme, being organised on the directives of Mayor L.Sasikala Pushpa and Commissioner S.Madhumathi, was aimed at enhancing hygiene levels ahead of the arrival of the monsoon, Dr.Krishnakumar noted. Each team, led by the Health Officer, comprised a Medical Officer, urban health nurse and sanitary inspector. The residents had been asked to clear garbage and discarded items from their backyards. They had also been asked not to dump waste in residential areas or public places, he noted.

Things like tyres, coconut shells, and broken earthen and plastic utensils could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, he said and added that water containers should be cleaned at regular intervals to avoid breeding of mosquitoes.

Fogging was carried out in parts of Toovipuram, Anna Nagar and its surroundings. Indoor fogging was also done simultaneously as part of anti-dengue operation. Similar campaigns would be conducted in various wards of the Corporation twice a week until November, he said.

Dr.Krishnakumar pointed out that school students would also be involved in a similar programme to spread awareness among the public to maintain hygiene from next week. Pamphlets highlighting dos and don’ts to prevent the outbreak of diseases would be distributed to students, he added.