New Delhi: The majority of councillors Tuesday expressed resentment over the poor performance of MCD ‘s public health department in controlling vector-borne diseases.
Till Saturday, Delhi had reported 311 dengue, 119 malaria and 22 chikungunya cases so far this year. Officials, however, said that mosquito breeding had been checked at 13,700 locations, including 3,852 construction sites, 3,017 schools and 3,600 parking areas. Delhi has reported more than 3,700 influenza cases and 3,006 H1N1 cases this season, marking a significant multi-fold increase over previous years.
Hemchand Goel, BJP councillor from Molarband, said: “Every year, staff from other departments were pooled in to help the public health department staff. Public health staff, who were diverted to other departments, have also been called back to carry out fogging,” the municipal health officer said. During the standing committee meeting, BJP and AAP councillors alleged a shortage of insecticides, staff and machines. They claimed that fogging had not begun at several places, including schools, community markets and parking areas. “We have enough stock of insecticides. BJP councillor Shashi Yadav asked if adequate awareness campaigns were being done on the spread of such diseases.
He placed an agenda on the issue before the committee.