Kolkata gets first woman Chief Health Officer as monsoon triggers dengue, malaria alert

Ranita Sengupta has been appointed the Chief Health Officer of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), becoming the first woman to hold the post in the civic body’s history. She took charge on July 3, following the retirement of Subrata Roy Choudhury, who served as Chief Health Officer until June 30. Sengupta had been working as the Deputy Chief Health Officer in the same department before her elevation.

She formally assumed office in the presence of senior officials of the Health Department. The KMC Health Department welcomed her at the headquarters on her first day in charge. With years of service within the department, Sengupta has been involved in multiple health-related initiatives and operations in the city, including vector control and public health drives.

Her appointment comes at a time when the civic body is preparing for seasonal challenges linked to the monsoon. The focus is currently on the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. According to officials, the Health Department is gearing up for vector control measures, intensified cleaning operations, and public awareness campaigns to address the risks associated with the rainy season.