BMC launches 6-pronged attack against malaria

Taking its battle against malaria to the next level, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), announced a new six-point agenda to fight this and other diseases, on Friday.

Taking its battle against malaria to the next level, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), announced a new six-point agenda to fight this and other diseases, on Friday.

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The civic body also warned citizens to take precautions against swine flu, after a second wave of H1N1 cases.

BMC commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya said though malaria figures were on the downslide, the civic body would continue its ‘vigorous’ battle against the disease.

On the battle agenda are construction site corrections, hygiene corrections at these sites, making doctors available for workers, notices to 810 construction sites, medical check-ups every 15 days for labourers, and regular site inspections.

“We are targeting 2,500 construction sites in Mumbai and have drawn up “site corrections” and other precautions, including making doctors available at these sites to curb the rise in malaria cases,” BMC additional commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said.

“The BMC has requested builders to take site correction measures according to BMC guidelines, with improved hygiene conditions. We

have also provided health cards and have made doctors available at all construction sites,” she added.

She said four tankers of mosquito larvaecidal oil (ML) that curbs mosquito breeding had already arrived in four civic wards.

The civic body has also filled up vacancies and recruited more than 210 nurses and 190 cleaning staff recently.

On the shortage of ML oil, Kshatriya said chief minister Ashok Chavan had written a letter to the union petroleum minister Murli Deora to arrange for the required supply to be sent to Mumbai.

Speaking on the possible second wave of swine flu cases, Mhaiskar said this year the required stock of Tamiflu vaccines was available over the counter at 110 chemist shops in Mumbai, besides being available at 64 BMC medicine distribution centres.