PUNE: The alleged failure of Health Department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to curb the vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya in the city rocked the General Body (GB)of PMC on Monday.
The PMC Health Department said that so far seven deaths have been reported due to dengue in the city, while more than 4,000 dengue cases have been reported this year. Corporators demanded that the PMC take steps immediately to stop the spread of dengue.
Deputy Mayor Dr Siddharth Dhende said, “There was a question before the Health Department on how to find the localities from where dengue is spread. Therefore it was decided in the meeting with Additional Commissioner Shital Ugale and officials of the Health Department to seek a daily report from path labs and PMC hospitals. But it is unclear whether this is in practice or not.”
Shiv Sena’s Bala Oswal said, “Only 20 Health Department officials are working in my ward. Due to poor monitoring by the department, the mosquito breeding in the area is not under control and people are suffering from dengue. A 13-year-old girl in the area died due to dengue. This incident has highlighted the need for prompt action by the PMC.’
Amruta Babar said, “There are inadequate staffers at Naidu Hospital and many health workers sign the muster without attending work. Therefore mosquito menace is not under control. Corporator Ashwini Babar said, “There are three dengue patients in my home. Many people in the area are suffering from dengue. But PMC’s efforts for curbing this menace are invisible in the city.”
ACTION TAKEN BY PMC
Assistant Health Officer of PMC, Vaishali Jadhav said, “We have conducted a survey of 100 households near the houses of suspected dengue cases. So far in this survey, we found 6,558 households where mosquito breeding spots were detected. The PMC has served notices to all these people. Action is being taken against PMC staff members also for failing to curb mosquito breeding.”
