TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Health authorities in Candolim have stepped up measures to tackle dengue, after 21 persons from Nerul and surrounding areas have tested positive for the dreaded disease since January.
While most dengue cases have been reported at Firguembhat-Nerul, other dengue cases have been reported in Verem, Saligao, Calangute and Alto-Betim.
Alarmed over the spread of dengue cases in the area, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo visited the Candolim Primary Health Centre (PHC) on Thursday and interacted with Health Officer Dr Doreen Noronha to acquaint himself with measures initiated by the PHC to tackle the disease.
Dr Noronha informed Lobo that the PHC team has been regularly visiting the affected places and guiding the villagers on precautionary measures. She, however, admitted that the Candolim PHC faces acute staff shortage, making it difficult to manage a vast area with just 15 staff members.
As many as 21 patients tested positive for dengue and have been treated at GMC Hospital at Bambolim and District Hospital at Mapusa. While most patients are from Firguembhat (Nerul), others are from Verem, Saligao, Calangute and Alto-Betim.
“The majority number of the cases detected in Nerul indicates the possible storage of clean water in drums, tanks, etc, which has been stagnant for days together, thereby allowing the breeding of mosquitoes. We have been creating awareness among residents not to store water for over 2-3 days, while fogging and anti-larval measures are also underway in the affected areas,” Dr Noronha told Lobo.
Reacting to the rising number of dengue cases, Lobo advised the health officer to carry out precautionary measures to stop the spread of dengue related cases along the Calangute coast.
“I am worried about the spread of dengue cases in the tourism belt of Calangute as it could have drastic effects on tourism. Tourists could well stop coming to Goa in view of the alarming rise of dengue cases,” said Lobo.
The MLA also suggested to Director of Health Services Dr Sanjeev Dalvi to depute additional workforce from other health centres to help the Candolim PHC to effectively handle the additional workload in view of the dengue cases.
Lobo also advised Yeshwant Kandolkar, chairman of Health Monitoring Committee at Candolim, to provide additional vehicles to meet the demands of the Candolim PHC.
