Malaria cases down, dengue on rise in Bardez (Herald)

Malaria cases down, dengue on rise in Bardez

April 25, 2014

TEAM HERALD

 

PORVORIM: As the world celebrates Malaria Day Friday, health officials have claimed that sustained efforts have brought down malaria cases in Bardez, but admit that unplanned urbanization has led to a spurt in dengue cases in the taluka.

The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has registered 1,530 cases of Malaria and 198 cases of Dengue during the calendar year 2013, of which Bardez taluka alone accounted for 621 malaria cases and 40 dengue cases.

While Bardez taluka has recorded a substantial drop in malaria cases from January to March, the number of dengue cases has shot up during this period.

The Candolim Primary Health Centre (PHC) has reported 20 dengue cases and seven malaria cases, followed by dengue (5) and malaria (11) cases at the Aldona PHC, four dengue cases at the Mapusa PHC, dengue (1) and malaria (6) cases at the Siolim PHC and four malaria cases at the Colvale PHC.

“Awareness programmes like advocacy workshops, training for medical officers, supervisory staff, multipurpose workers, Anganwadi workers, teachers, etc, undertaken by the health department has resulted in a drastic drop in malaria cases,” Deputy Director of National Vector Borne disease Control programme (NVBDCP) Dr Sachin Govekar told Herald.

“The rise in dengue cases is due to unplanned urbanization. The DHS has organised a sensitization workshop for government engineers at District Hospital at Ponda on Friday to create awareness about malaria and dengue cases,” said Dr Govekar.

Candolim Primary Health Centre Health Officer Dr Dorene Noronha stated that there has been a substantial drop in malaria cases due to anti-larval measures, fogging and advocacy workshops undertaken by them.

“We have now intensified our activities to bring down dengue cases to zero level. Most dengue cases have been reported at Firguem Bhat-Nerul and Ramnagar-Betim. Migrant labourers reside in these areas and there are no toilet or water facilities there,” informed Dr Noronha.

“We recently conducted workshops at Nerul and Ramnagar to advise people to take preventive measures so that breeding of mosquitoes does not take palace. Support from the public and the panchayat is vital to combat the disease,” added Dr Noronha.

Aldona Health Centre Health Officer Dr M Sequeira said they have organised a programme at Salvador-do-Mundo on Friday to educate labourers and contractors, while a dengue awareness camp will be organised at Bastora on April 28.

Mapusa Urban Health Centre Health Officer Dr Dattaram Shetgoaonkar informed that they have launched a cleanliness drive at Acoi-Cunchelim and Duler areas, where there is no proper sanitation. 

“We have received good cooperation from Mapusa Municipal Council in this regard,” added Dr Shetgaonkar.

 

 http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Malaria-cases-down-dengue-on-rise-in-Bardez/88011.html