State alerted to dengue before rains, 815 crore allocated for prevention

Before the onset of the rainy season in West Bengal, the state government has become alert about dengue infection. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed the Chief Secretary to take necessary steps to prevent infection.  

According to the same, special instructions have been given to the secretaries of 16 departments including sanitation, water supply, and health. The directory has also been sent to the district magistrates of all the districts. Also, Rs 815 crore has been allocated for infection prevention.  

Sources in the Secretariat have said that basically 13 points have been agreed upon. One lakh 32 thousand people will be deployed to make people aware by going door to door in villages and towns. Disinfectant spraying will be started in March this year and will continue till December.

A team of 15 members per panchayat will be deployed in the villages.  Members of that group will go door to door to make people aware.  Disinfectants will also be sprayed. In the case of suburbs, additional people will be deployed for this task.

The number of dengue testing centers will be increased in 60 government hospitals in the state. 1,500 km of canals will be renewed at least twice a week to prevent the breeding of mosquito larvae and this will get rid of the problem of waterlogging.

Closed factory premises, government offices, bus depots, garbage heaps, and empty spaces will be cleaned before monsoon. They will be monitored regularly. School Education Department, Social Welfare Department, Police, and Housing Department have also been given the responsibility to sensitize citizens about dengue.

8,500 medical officers and paramedical staff will be trained before monsoon to treat dengue patients. ASHA, Anganwadi, Municipality, and Health workers will be specially trained to make citizens aware. Dengue Week will be observed from May 29 to June 4. Emphasis will be placed on cleanliness in cities and rural areas during that week.

The IT department will take steps to collect documents, and data related to dengue. Solid and liquid waste management will be implemented in 140 urban gram panchayats.  Identity cards and jackets will be given to those who spread awareness by going door-to-door in cities and villages.  It is noteworthy that every year during the rainy season in West Bengal, dengue infection kills a large number of people.