Rs 20,000 insurance cover for children with dengue: Govt

The insurance cover is part of a government project to fight dengue.

With a view to preventing outbreak of dengue, the district health department launched a campaign called, ‘Hum vs Dengue’ on Friday at the Civil Hospital in Civil Lines.

A fumigation drive to eliminate mosquitoes to reduce dengue threat. (HT File Photo)

The campaign,which is to be implemented under a public-private partnership model along with the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram(MCG), and the DHFL, a private firm, would provide free insurance cover of up to Rs 20,000 for treatment to underprivileged children in case they are diagnosed with the vector-borne disease.

Launched by Rao Narbir Singh, Public Works Department (PWD) and forest minister, and the member of the legislative assembly of Badshahpur, the campaign aims to spread door-to-door awareness about dengue. Additionally, eight auto-rickshaws were also flagged off. They would provide transportation to health workers who would inform people about the ‘dos and the don’ts’ of dealing with dengue.

Gulshan Rai Arora, civil surgeon, Gurugram, said, “The health department is geared up to tackle dengue. Awareness campaign is in full progress. This campaign intends to work with schools, residents’ welfare associations and offices.”

The health department also launched two helpline numbers — 1800-180-1817 and 0124-2222465 — where people may request fogging.

Rakesh Kumar, the zonal head of the campaign, said that the ‘dos and don’ts’ for dengue will be displayed at prominent spots throughout the district and leaflets informing the same would be also be distributed.

“On Friday, health workers who are responsible for the awareness programme were trained on how they can use cooking oil to remove larva from containers. They were told that larva doesn’t breed in dirty water, but in clean water,” said Kumar.

Ten cases of dengue have been confirmed by the health department till now. In 2017, 66 confirmed dengue cases were reported in Gurugram .