Team Herald

VASCO: The sudden rise in "dengue" cases in Mormugao Taluka has set the alarm bells ringing for the Health department officials here. Health officer of the Urban Health Centre, Vasco, Dr Rashmi Khandeparkar, confirmed to the media that 22 suspected cases were reported in the current month. She also confirmed that all efforts have been made to control the spread of dengue. Private hospitals and pathological labs across Vasco and Dabolim constituencies have been asked to provide details of dengue cases to the Urban Health Centre on a daily basis.

Several decisions were taken during an emergency meeting headed by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida on Thursday following a report published in Herald which mentioned the rise in dengue cases. MMC Chief Officer Deepali Naik, Chairperson Deepak Naik, health officials from Vasco and representative of private hospitals, pathological labs from Vasco and Dabolim attended the meeting.

“There a communication gap between the private hospitals and urban health centre officials following which instead of filing report on a daily basis, details were being  provided on a monthly basis. However, following the meeting, now the Urban Health Centre will get reports from them on a daily basis, so that the follow up action could be more effective as per the condition," MLA Carlos Almeida said.

He further said, “There's no kit at Chicalim Cottage Hospital to check dengue and suspected cases samples should be sent to Pune. I have decided to ask Goa Shipyard to supply kits to the Cottage Hospital as part of their CSR activity and these kits then would be made available to the poor and needy,” Almeida said.

Meanwhile, Dr Khandeparkar and Naik assured that jointly MMC and health department would form a team to kick-start inspection and awareness campaign in all the 25 wards under Municipal jurisdiction from Friday. Naik assured that MMC would provide all support, including supply of chemicals used to eliminate larvae and fogging drives.