Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has intensified its efforts to tackle the dengue and chikungunya outbreak, as revealed in an affidavit submitted to the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court.
NMC Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari outlined a comprehensive action plan in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), emphasizing the critical role of citizen participation in curbing the spread of these vector-borne diseases.
The affidavit details NMC’s multi-pronged strategy, which combines aggressive awareness campaigns, clinical interventions, and active community involvement. Key among the civic body’s initiatives is an extensive public awareness drive, employing various methods including pamphlets, posters, vehicle-mounted jingles, and loudspeaker announcements to educate the public about preventive measures.
NMC has also engaged educational institutions and government offices in public gatherings to further disseminate the message. Additionally, social media platforms and local radio stations are being utilized to broaden the reach of these awareness efforts.
This all-encompassing approach comes in the wake of a significant surge in dengue and chikungunya cases, which have overwhelmed healthcare facilities across the city. NMC’s strategy aims to mitigate the outbreak and prevent further strain on the city’s healthcare system, urging citizens to actively participate in maintaining hygiene and taking necessary precautions to combat the diseases.
On the ground, NMC’s health workers have conducted expeditious fever surveillance in over 9.68 lakh households, assiduously examining potential mosquito breeding sites. As of September 5, Nagpur had documented 2,258 suspected cases of dengue (124 positive) and 2,628 suspected cases of chikungunya (574 positive). To thwart the spread, NMC has deployed 10 vehicles equipped with fogging machines and 34 hand-held fogging devices for regular insecticide spraying.
However, the Commissioner emphasized that government efforts alone are inadequate. “NMC is taking every measure to maintain the city’s cleanliness and hygiene, but for this purpose, the citizens must also accept this task as their duty too. Only through public-private partnership can the city be kept clean and hygienic,” he asserted.
