Delhi gears up for vector-borne diseases ahead of rains

Ahead of the monsoon season, the Delhi government on Thursday directed all departments concerned to take strict measures to keep a check on the vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chinkungunya and malaria.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired a review meeting over preparedness for these diseases and asked all departments to step up efforts for the next four months.

"The Chief Minister has directed all the agencies to take strict measures to control these diseases," a government official said.

In a tweet, Kejriwal said vector-borne diseases have witnessed a sharp decline in Delhi during the last four years as a result of joint efforts of the Delhi government and residents of the national capital.

The number of dengue cases in 2015 were 15,000 which came down to 2,700 in 2018. "We are expecting fewer cases this year," he said.

The Chief Minister asked the team to put in more hard work in the months to come.

"Next four months are very important for the health and well-being of the people of Delhi. We have to improve the situation and get the number of the cases further down. We all are together in this fight and we all must put in our best for Delhi," he said a statement.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain asked the agencies to focus on awareness.

"The monitoring of the work of prevention and awareness of vector-borne diseases is very important. Awareness material on the measures to be taken for prevention, the dos and don'ts, must reach everyone so that every resident is aware of the preventive steps," Jain said.

Jain also directed the officials to be prompt in responding to a situation. "I request all the MCDs to do their best and have a very good monitoring team to keep a regular check on the on-ground team and feedback for any further steps to be taken," the Health Minister said.

The Health Minister directed the Health Department to implement the timetable for the preparedness for hospitals to tackle the situation as and when it would arise.

Regular review meetings will be held to monitor the preparedness to keep the situation in Delhi under control, the statement said.

( With inputs from IANS )