THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram is fast turning to be the ‘dengue capital’ of the state. Of the 3,100 cases reported in the state, 2,100 are in Thiruvananthapuram, Health Minister K K Shailaja told the Assembly on Wednesday.
The matter was raised in the Assembly by K Muraleedharan MLA who pointed out even doctors at the General Hospital had fallen prey to dengue. Shailaja said the government viewed the development with due seriousness. Of the 2,100 cases reported in the district, most of them were in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation limits. Steps are being taken to check the spread of the fever, and a special meeting had been convened in this regard, he said.
On Tuesday, the Health Minister had inaugurated Mission Ananthapuri: Mosquito-free City in Thiruvananthapuram in view of the rising incidence of dengue and other epidemics like H1N1. The campaign is jointly organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the National Health Mission and the District Medical Office. In the first phase of the campaign, precautionary measures are being taken in 42 wards of the corporation.
Ayurdeeptham campaign
The government will launch Ayurdeeptham, a campaign for early detection of cancer, in Kannur soon. Cancer clinics will be conducted as part of the campaign. In subsequent phases, Ayurdeeptham will be extended to other districts, the Health Minister said.
Proposal for plants at Aruvikkara, Neyyar dams
Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas on Wednesday said there was a proposal to set up another plant at Aruvikkara with a capacity of 75 mld. He was replying to the discussion and voting on demands for grants in the budget for the financial year 2017-18. Apart from this, there was also a proposal to set up a plant at Neyyar dam with a 120 mld capacity for resolving the potable water shortage in Thiruvananthapuram city.