The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has ordered stronger measures against malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases in Mumbai’s G-South Ward, while directing officials to expand awareness of Ayushman Bharat Health Account and Ayushman Bharat cards among residents.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide issued the directions during an inspection of the Haji Mohammed Sabu Siddiqui Municipal Maternity Home and a municipal dispensary in Prabhadevi on Thursday. She sought details of malaria and dengue cases reported in the ward and instructed officials to implement effective preventive measures against the diseases.
The civic body will also use Accredited Social Health Activist workers and health volunteers for awareness activities related to ABHA and Ayushman Bharat cards. The outreach is intended to help more residents access the health identification and welfare systems, according to the report.
At the Haji Mohammed Sabu Siddiqui Municipal Maternity Home, Bhide reviewed the facility’s functioning with medical officers and other staff. She verified outpatient and inpatient department records maintained through the Health Management Information System and directed officials to address minor repairs required in the building.
The commissioner also instructed the civic administration to ensure the provision of essential equipment at the maternity home. The inspection covered both the condition of the facility and the records used to monitor its daily health services.
Bhide subsequently reviewed services at the Prabhadevi municipal dispensary and polyclinic. Officials briefed her on daily patient footfall, the types of patients visiting the facility, available medicine stocks and blood-testing facilities.
The renewed focus on malaria and dengue prevention comes as BMC data shows different trends for the two diseases during the monsoon period. Mumbai recorded 1,563 dengue cases between June and August 31, 2026, compared with 1,972 cases during the corresponding period in 2025. Malaria cases, however, rose from 3,733 in 2025 to 4,485 in 2026.
Earlier BMC data had also indicated a decline in several monsoon-related illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis and Covid-19, between June 1 and September 15 compared with the corresponding period last year. The commissioner’s directions place disease surveillance, preventive action and public awareness alongside the routine functioning of ward-level health facilities.
Deputy Municipal Commissioners Prashant Gaikwad, Sharad Ughade and Prashant Sapkale, G-South Assistant Commissioner Swapnaja Kshirsagar, Executive Health Officer Dr Santosh Gaikwad and other civic officials were present during the inspection. The officials were directed to continue preventive measures and address the facility-level requirements identified during the review.
