New Delhi: With the monsoon season approaching, Municipal Commissioner Ashwani Kumar has called for collective inter-departmental action to combat the expected rise in vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue and chikungunya, across the capital. He emphasised that July and August are the peak transmission months and timely, coordinated efforts could help curb the spread effectively.
Chairing an inter-departmental meeting on Thursday, Kumar urged various civic bodies and government agencies to take immediate preventive steps, such as removing junk, ensuring cleanliness, and running awareness drives at their respective levels.
“Only through joint efforts can we prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases. This is the right time to act,” Kumar stated, highlighting the importance of vigilance, public participation, and cross-agency cooperation.
Multi-Agency Coordination
The meeting saw participation from key departments including the Delhi Jal Board, NDMC, CPWD, PWD, Delhi Police, DDA, and Horticulture. These agencies were urged to intensify cleanliness measures, particularly in vulnerable spaces such as parks, police Malkhanas, public drains, and government buildings.
A presentation by the MCD Public Health Department identified hotspot areas, shared data on disease spread trends, and highlighted environmental conditions conducive to mosquito breeding.
Community Participation and Education
Kumar suggested that schools under the Delhi government, MCD, and NDMC integrate vector-borne disease awareness into parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) and encourage children to wear full-sleeved clothing. He proposed an innovative “dengue homework” initiative to involve students in prevention activities at home.
“We have to reach every citizen with the message,” Kumar said, calling for an intensified door-to-door campaign by Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) and mass media campaigns for public education.
Infrastructure and Sanitation Directives
The Commissioner also instructed the Delhi Jal Board to focus on addressing water leakages, a common cause of mosquito breeding. He directed departments like DEMS, Irrigation, and Horticulture to maintain hygiene and eliminate stagnant water sources in their jurisdiction.
In closing, the civic body’s statement underlined that a proactive and coordinated approach over the next two months could significantly mitigate the health risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.
