KDMC ties up with mandals to fight diseases

KALYAN: Increasing number of water-borne diseases including dengue, malaria, jaundice and others have been a reason for concern for the corporation and to deal with the issue, the officials have taken help from mandals to generate awareness about the disease.

CDs containing information about disease, preventive measures, dos and don’ts would be circulated across the city mandals to be played during the festival.

The recent suspected cases of dengue and jaundice in parts of the city proved to be an eye opener and officials swung in action to take preventive measures.

To deal with increasing number of cases, the health department along with ward officials had a meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting was presided over by deputy commissioner Deepak Patil and KDMC Health officer Smita Rode.

“There has been outbreak of dengue, malaria, chickengunya and other water borne disease in the city. As an awareness drive, we have planned to distribute handbills, banners and posters and will also organize skits to generate awareness,” said Smita Rode, KDMC health officer.

To spread more awareness, CDs containing information about the disease would be distributed to mandals across the twin city where audio clips would be played.

“CDs will be played at Ganpati mandals considering the number of footfalls in the mandals. The message would definitely have a positive impact on listeners. Hence, we are hopeful that this will yield fruitful results,” she added.

The sudden outbreak of dis- eases has led the deputy commissioner to form a special team.

“A special team comprising of a health inspector, plumber and two health officials has been made, who will pay a personal visit to the areas which are worst affected and provide immediate assistance. Following the result, the chief medical officer will take action,” said Deepak Patil, deputy commissioner.

Fumigation and cleanliness drives will also be conducted in areas across the city. The solid waste department from the city has been asked to collect garbage on time and ensure that they don’t pile up on city roads.

KDMC seems to have woken up after many cases have been reported, “The garbage, stagnant water and other civic problems were not paid attention to before. We had reported about incomplete construction activity to the civic body but no action was taken,” said Shardul Kamath, 38, resident of Shivaji Chowk, Kalyan.

“KDMC has planned many initiatives now, and although playing informative audio clips to generate awareness is a good idea, the officials should have taken preventive measures earlier. Regular fumigation and water sample survey was not done which led to outbreak of many waterborne diseases,” said Nitesh Subhranshu, 32, a Manpada resident.