Hospitals, police stations breeding mosquitoes: MCD

Hospitals, police stations, DTC bus depots and auto workshops are the breeding havens for mosquitoes , found the MCD's health department on surveying the Capital, reports Rhythma Kaul.

Hospitals, police stations, DTC bus depots and auto workshops are the breeding havens for mosquitoes that cause dengue, found the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) health department on surveying the Capital for mosquito breeding grounds.

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While Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and SDN Hospital in Shahadara were the hospitals that topped MCD’s list of defaulters, police stations in Hauz Khas, Prasad Nagar, Lodhi Road and Sriniwaspuri also recorded over 10 per cent mosquito breeding levels, which is the critical mass used as an indicator of possible outbreak.

While the MCD maintains there have been no dengue deaths in the Capital, Bimla Chaudhary, councillor from Najafgargh zone, claimed there was a dengue death in Daulatpur village. “We can’t accept or deny deaths on the basis of what people say. We go strictly by the blood test reports from hospitals, and so far hospitals haven’t confirmed any death to us,” said MCD Medical Health Officer, NK Yadav.

What MCD did confirm, however, was that unhygienic living conditions have made Delhi a breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes. Beginning June 1 this year, about 24, 000 residents have been served legal notices and about 1,221 people have been prosecuted by the MCD for not keeping their premises clean.

Among the worst affected areas are Shahadara in the South Zone, Najafgarh Zone, Rohini and Okhla Industrial Area.

“Wherever there is a possibility of water accumulating due to lack of cleanliness, the chances of mosquitoes breeding are high,” said an official from the MCD’s medical health department.

With dengue cases shooting up in August every year, the MCD has fast-tracked its campaign.

On July 18, a coordination committee meeting with Delhi and central government agencies, Public Works Department, Delhi Police department, education department and horticulture department will be held under the chairmanship of the MCD commissioner to review the situation.