HYDERABAD: Rather than putting efforts to control the diseases, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is charting plans to go after mosquitoes, regardless of species, to bring down all diseases caused by the insects, through National Mosquito Control Mission by the ministry. Drafts are being prepared for the mission. At a meeting held in Delhi recently, officials representing Telangana gave their inputs in preparing the draft.
As on date, six vector borne diseases: Malaria, Filaria, Dengue, Kala-Azar, Chikungunya, Japanese-Encephalitis are prevented and controlled through National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) . NVBDCP officials said that earlier dengue was a seasonal disease, but it has become perennial now as cases are reported throughout a year. “Rather than targeting diseases, the missions aims to target vectors.
At the technical meeting held in Delhi, we gave inputs on steps that need to be taken to control mosquitoes. It is planned to involve other departments such as Panchayat Raj, Municipality, Water Supply and departments which take care of sanitation. It is still in draft stage,” said Dr Anuradha Medoju, regional director, Regional officer for Health and Family Welfare, adding that focus is on urban areas.
Community participation
Besides other departments, officials stressed on community and NGOs participation to avoid stagnation of water. Control of the diseases is focused on in the State as there have been over 4,407 cases of Dengue alone in Telangana in the year of 2016. While officially only four deaths of patients suffering from the disease was reported, sources in the department said that the numbers are higher as the disease gripped Bonakal mandal in Khammam in October and November of last year. “About 5-6 lakh is charged by private hospitals stating that blood has to be transfused since platelets count goes down,” an official said.