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Public Health / Sanitation

Special mosquito control drive planned

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:02 administrator
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The Hindu 24.03.2010

Special mosquito control drive planned

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: The Department of Public Health plans a 100-day intensive mosquito control drive from April 1 in the suburbs coming under eight primary health centres.

Deputy Director of Health Services, Coimbatore, S. Senthilkumar said on Tuesday that the special drive was in view of the World Classical Tamil Conference. He told media persons at a workshop on chikungunya prevention that the drive would be carried out at Sarcarsamakulam, Kalveerampalayam, Thudialur, Podanur, Sundakkamuthur, Vellakinar, Veerapandi, Pooluvapatti, Vagarampalayam and Irugur.

Dr. Senthilkumar said his teams would concentrate on the suburbs along the city's border. With the conference being held in the city, similar measures might be carried out by the health wing of the Coimbatore Corporation.

As for the Tamil conference, another request had been made to appoint 120 contract workers. Sixty workers each would be used for separate drives for mosquito and fly control.

The specific focus on mosquitoes was because of the timing of the conference. “The monsoon (South West Monsoon) arrives in June and that is the time when stagnant rain water becomes breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he pointed out.

In addition to these efforts, the department would also provide chlorine to the local bodies along the city's border to ensure that drinking water was safe. “Our officials would also check whether the chlorination is sufficient,” Dr. Senthilkumar said. The cost of the entire programme, comprising the drive against mosquitoes and flies, the chlorination of water and wages for workers, was estimated at Rs.1.5 crore. A special officer might be appointed to oversee the work.

No screening

Dr. Senthilkumar said there would be no screening of people coming from outside Coimbatore to participate in the conference. “All those coming from other countries will have to follow the international health regulations while travelling. Therefore, a fresh screening may not be necessary,” he said.

The healthcare apparatus would be ready to deal with occurrence of diseases. As many as 24 health teams would be on duty.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:03
 

Corporation to incorporate tuberculosis detection into health camps

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:00 administrator
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The Hindu 24.03.2010

Corporation to incorporate tuberculosis detection into health camps

 

Special Correspondent

“With 85 per cent cure rate the State has achieved the set targets”

— Photo : M. Vedhan

Reaching out:Participants of TB awareness rally orgnaised by State Health Society - RNTCP, Reach as part of the World TB Day in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will incorporate detection of tuberculosis into its health camps. Follow up and referrals for those testing positive, in addition to starting them on drug treatments will also be taken up.

The camps will be held in all the zones and special equipment will be brought to test people for Tuberculosis, Corporation Health Officer P. Kuganantham said at a meeting organised by the State TB Control Cell, on the occasion of World TB Day. “We are hopeful to detect a large number of cases and put them on the DOTS regimen,” he added. Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni later said, “We do not want to have special TB camps as there is much stigma still surrounding the disease and people may not turn up. However, they will feel more comfortable in a general health camp,” he added.

Shambu Kallolikar, project director, Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society, said the two challenges ahead of those who work in the sector are detection of cases and creating awareness among patients on the need to stick to the DOTS regimen.

Actor Suhasini Maniratnam launched ‘Swasam,' an awareness CD, and distributed mementos to DOTS providers. She urged people to utilise the free diagnosis, and treatment facilities being provided at all government facilities.

M. Nandagopalaswamy, Director of Medical Services, said with 85 per cent cure rate the State has achieved the targets set by the Central government. Earlier, Principal Secretary, Health, V.K. Subburaj flagged off an awareness rally from Labour Statue to Queen Mary's College.

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 April 2010 15:20
 

Wealth out of Waste project takes off

Saturday, 20 March 2010 02:05 administrator
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The Hindu 20.03.2010


Wealth out of Waste project takes off

Special Correspondent

Plan to carry out a door-to-door awareness drive in Mettupalayam

— Photo: K.Ananthan.

To rid of waste:Chairperson of Mettupalayam Municipality Satyavati Ganesh (second right) hands over a garbage collection bag to a resident

COBATORE: Wealth out of Waste, a project under which paper waste and plastic bags are bought from houses and shops, began in Mettupalayam Municipality in the district on Thursday.

The programme is already on in some parts of Coimbatore city and its suburbs. ITC Limited buys waste paper and plastic bags from the people. This helps the company reduce the import of paper waste that it recycles for various purposes. The project in Mettupalayam will also function on the same lines.

Municipal Chairperson Satyavati Ganesh, Commissioner R. Sundaram, Health Officer Pradeep V. Krishnakumar, Manager of ITC Feroz Munshi and Nalini Chandrasekhar of Inner Wheel Club of Mettupalayam launched the project by handing over bags to store the waste. They called for people's support to the programme that could rid the town of paper and plastic waste.

Joint programme

Dr. Krishnakumar said this was a joint programme of the municipality, ITC and the Inner Wheel Club.

The health officer said that out of the five divisions (with 33 wards) in the municipality, Division 5 was chosen to implement the first phase of the project.

While Ward 9 in this division was being covered from Friday, the others –10, 11, 12, 23 and 24 – would be brought under the scheme over the next few days.

The rest of the town would be covered in phases, Dr. Krishnakumar said.

Phase one would cover 2,500 houses, out of the total 17,000 in the 7.2 sq.km. town with an approximate population of 72,000.

While the houses would be given bags with five kg capacity, the 2,786 shops and other commercial establishments would be provided with a 15-kg bag each.

ITC would collect the waste once in 15 days.

Nearly 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the 32 tonnes of municipal solid waste generated every day in the town consisted of those that could be re-cycled, the official said.

“We plan to carry out a door-to-door awareness drive on the new project and involve self-help groups in bringing about total community participation,” Dr. Krishnakumar said.

“Our emphasis will also be on the concept of three ‘Rs' in waste management: reduce, re-use and re-cycle,” he added.

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 March 2010 02:11
 
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