BMC yet to procure oil for malaria drive

The city had reported 45 deaths due to malaria last year and the figures this year too could be alarming.

The city had reported 45 deaths due to malaria last year and the figures this year too could be alarming.

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The Opposition alleges that the civic body failed to act on time to control the outbreak of malaria last year and it hasn’t learnt its lessons. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not yet purchased mosquito larvicide’s oil (ML Oil). This oil helps control breeding of mosquitoes in stagnant water.

Anahita Mehta, Congress corporator and a member of the civic health committee, said, “The health department is not serious about malaria control. No other oil or insecticide will be effective in controlling mosquito larvae.” Pramod Mandrekar, a corporator from Malabar Hill, said, “The BMC should pay more for procuring ML oil before the onset of monsoon rather than on controlling malaria after it has already spread.”

BMC officials claimed they will begin the fogging process within 10 days. “The proposal will be put before the civic standing committee next week after which the process will begin,” said Dr Gaurish Ambe, civic executive health officer.