07 August 2010
Mumbai, India
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has sent legal notices to around 40 builders in the city for not complying with malaria safety norms at their construction sites. It has warned them of legal action if they still failed to comply with the public health department’s guidelines.
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya said the construction sites were found to be one of the primary mosquito breeding areas. “We have sent notices to builders after finding that they have not treated their stagnant water or not carried out fumigation within their sites. If they still refuse to comply, we will initiate further action.”
At least 83 per cent malaria cases in this season were reported from slums and construction sites. As many as 629 malaria patients are admitted to civic hospitals now.
KEM Hospital dean Dr Sanjay Oak said five to seven per cent medical and paramedical staff across all civic hospitals were suffering from malaria.
The civic body will also start centres in its seven zones, where citizens can get their mosquito nets treated with insecticides. Additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said, “The National Institute of Malarial Research has advised us to distribute insecticide–treated nets as they are found to be effective. Citizens can bring their nets to these centres and get them treated. The centres will start functioning in a week.”
Kshatriya, meanwhile, announced that ward officers would be given Rs 25 lakh each, which they can spend for vector control without seeking permission from the deputy or additional municipal commissioner.
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