As Delhi braces for the imminent arrival of the monsoon season, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken proactive steps to mitigate the surge in vector-borne diseases. Collaborating with various agencies, including the Public Works Department (PWD), police, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and Delhi Metro, the MCD has devised a comprehensive action plan for 2024-25 to prevent and control diseases such as malaria and dengue.
The plan highlights the formation of a multi-agency task force, which will spearhead efforts to curb mosquito breeding and spread awareness about vector-borne diseases. Hospitals across the city have been instructed to reserve beds specifically for dengue patients, anticipating a potential outbreak similar to the one that saw a 90% increase in cases last year.
To bolster its anti-larval measures, the MCD has deployed a vast array of equipment. This includes 2,600 Knapsack sprayers for weekly anti-larval treatments, 1,064 hand-operated fogging machines, and 864 pneumatic compression pumps. Additionally, the civic body has mobilised 320 motorised Knapsack sprayers, 246 megaphones for awareness campaigns, 77 stirrup pumps, 19 vehicle-mounted fogging machines, and 17 power pressure tankers.
A coordinated effort will be undertaken with agencies like Delhi Police, PWD, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and Central Public Works Department (CPWD). This inter-agency collaboration aims to form a headquarters-level task force dedicated to combating mosquito breeding. Simultaneously, zonal-level task forces will engage in anti-larval activities, such as cleaning, de-silting, and hyacinth removal from drains and water bodies.
The MCD has established approximately 250 malaria circles, each managed by a malaria inspector or in-charge. These circles, comprising teams of 10-12 multi-task staff (MTS) and 4-5 field workers, are tasked with inspecting 1,000-1,500 houses each (50 houses per day), completing their inspections within 25 days. Training for these field staff was conducted in January and February of this year.
To enhance public participation, the MCD will observe June and July as anti-malaria/dengue months, focusing on spreading awareness about water stagnation and mosquito breeding. Schools will also play a role, with morning assemblies dedicated to educating students on the prevention of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
The action plan further mandates nodal officers of ASI, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and universities to ensure their premises remain free from mosquito breeding. Government and private hospitals have been directed to prepare for an influx of dengue patients during peak season.
Data from the MCD’s action plan underscores the urgency of these measures. The incidence of vector-borne diseases saw a nearly 90% spike last monsoon season compared to 2022. Home inspections have revealed a significant increase in mosquito breeding, with 3,25,875 cases recorded in 2023, up from 1,71,931 in 2022. In 2021, there were 1,96,303 instances, and 1,09,550 cases in 2020.
