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| How to win the battle against dengue | | | - By Dilip Cherian
The alarming rate at which dengue has spread throughout the country and the seeming inability of the government to safeguard public health and adopt measures to contain the widespread panic and insecurity, have raised many questions. First and foremost, why were the health authorities so late in responding to what has now taken the shape of an epidemic across the country? The post-monsoon season is notorious for mosquito breeding, yet no measures were taken by the myriad babus who people the vast municipal authorities and the even larger public health administration, to counter this menace. Every year, diseases like dengue and malaria rear their ugly heads, yet nothing is done to contain their spread. Preventive measures which should have been made months in advance — such as fogging, spraying, and the overall review of sanitary conditions in the city — are being taken now, when dengue already has more than 600 people in its grip. The toll is slated to rise even as the Delhi health secretary, D.S. Negi, states that the number of patients coming into hospitals with dengue is decreasing and the disease will be controlled within a few days.
The public health administration and municipal authorities are now busy blaming each other; however, neither of these public service bodies seems to have any idea about how to tackle the problem that we are facing. This is particularly disappointing, considering the National Dengue Plan has been provided with approximately
Rs 11,372 crores to take appropriate preventive measures to prevent dengue outbreaks. But there is still no trace of any tangible work done. The public awareness campaign that the weak babus on the job are trying to use to cover up their negligence came far too late and accomplished too little.
Throughout the summer months, a majority of Delhi citizens use watercoolers for their homes and offices. The Aedes mosquito breeds in clean stagnant water. The municipality should have conducted regular checks to see whether or not residents were complying with safety rules like keeping watercoolers properly covered, dry, or putting kerosene inside coolers to prevent the breeding of the Aedes mosquito. However, these basic measures were taken half-heartedly.
The death toll from dengue so far is 43, and is still climbing. The disease has affected almost 3,000 people all over the country and this number is expected to rise. Will the civic authorities please stand up and take responsibility for the carelessness of their actions? Or shall we see the matter hushed up again in a tried-and-tested indifferent babu manner?
At this juncture, it is important for the government, and more importantly, for Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss to realise that a mistake has been made and it must be corrected. It is not the time to court controversy by flatly denying that the health ministry has been blatantly negligent and utterly inefficient. Nor should attempts be made to pass off the dengue and chikungunya outbreaks as not merely health issues.
The assertions made by the Union health secretary, P.K. Hota, are far more comforting, as the babu accepts that the situation is serious and he is determined to deal with the problem in a responsible manner. The babu dispelled notions that beds and treatment are not available in city hospitals, putting an end to the widespread panic caused by such speculation. Hota reiterated the need to show serious commitment for battling the outbreak, also seeking to involve citizens by making them responsible for their surroundings.
One can only hope that the remaining health ministry tribesmen will follow the health secretary’s example and provide some relief from the anxiety caused by dengue.
Love them, hate them but-you-can’t-leave-them tales of babu watchers are welcome. Share your most recent and interesting experiences in detail with [email protected]. Dilip has his lips sealed, so write freely.
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