The Hindu               13.06.2013

VMC gears up to prevent spread of seasonal diseases

With the onset of monsoon, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation is gearing up to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases.

The
corporation has set up a toll-free number — 1800 425 2000 — to enable
people to inform it on the incidence of fevers, malaria, dengue, and
other vector-borne diseases, if any.

Municipal
Commissioner G.S. Panda Das said the VMC had asked managements of
hospitals and clinics to inform malaria and dengue cases reported in
their institutions without fail.

Advice to RMPs

RMP
doctors were advised to provide only first-aid to patients. They should
invariably send the patients to the Urban Health Centres maintained by
the corporation and also inform the health wing officials about the
incidence, he said.

The VMC has decided to tackle the
mosquito menace with Gambusia affinis, a fish that feeds on mosquito
larva. The decision has been taken as water stagnation is common during
monsoon. Dumping a large number of Gambusia affinis in water bodies is
an eco-friendly process of controlling mosquitoes, officials say.

Mr.
Panda Das asked the officials to speed up de-silting works on a
war-footing. Storm water should flow freely in drains at any place in
the city.

There should not be stagnation of storm water on roads and drains, he said.

Meanwhile,
CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao said tens of people died due to
viral fevers. Mosquitoes were rampant in the city with onset of monsoon,
he said. He urged the corporation to initiate steps to prevent the
spread malaria by recruiting staff in health wing.

Speed up de-silting works on a war-footing and ensure there is no stagnation of water on roads and in drains

G.S. Panda Das VMC Commissioner People can call toll-free number 1800 425 2000 and reports incidence of any vector-borne disease.