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MARGAO: In a letter to South Goa Collector, GOACAN has stressed the need to have a District Action Plan to combat vector borne diseases.
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In view of World Malaria Day celebration on April 25, GOACAN in a letter to Ajit Roy has highlighted the need for a South Goa District Action Plan to combat vector borne diseases in context of the extended lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic as the occasion provides an opportunity to get prepared to tackle the spread of malaria and dengue.
In the letter, GOACAN pointed out that as the lockdown has been extended till May 3 to contain the spread of COVID-19, the present “Stay Home, Stay Safe” campaign offers households in South Goa a unique opportunity to put in place a prevention plan to control the spread of vector borne diseases.
The letter further highlights that the water shortage experienced in certain villages in South Goa is likely to push households to adopt certain practices that will enhance the spread of malaria and dengue. The supply of water by tankers to consumers in times of shortages will need to be undertaken by maintaining the social distancing norms that are in force.
Due to the relaxation provided by the MHA, construction activity is likely to start at some building sites in South Goa where in workers will be allowed to stay at the work site to contain the spread of COVID-19. This can also provide an opportunity for the spread of malaria and dengue if preventive steps are not taken. Wherever workers are involved in activity at fishing jetties, it is important that they are cautioned about the dangers of malaria & dengue, the letter states.
GOACAN has requested the Collector to issue the necessary advisory for South Goa District so that a prevention plan is in place and the hotspots are properly monitored as this will go a long way in preventing any new cases of malaria or dengue. It is important that the taluka offices in South Goa of the Directorate of Panchayats, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GOA IDC), Directorate of Fisheries, PWD, and Labour Commissioner are made important partners in this prevention plan.
GOACAN has also strongly recommended that the Prevention Plan puts more emphasis on participation by the citizen stakeholders so that the Social Service Clubs, mahila mandals, Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Committees (VHSNC), the Village Development Committees (VDC) of the panchayats and the Municipal & Panchayat Elected Representatives (ERs) are also involved.
It has also emphasized that the District Prevention Plan for Malaria & Dengue must also take into account the frontline workers battling the spread of COVID-19 in South Goa. Doctors, nurses & hospital staff, waste collectors etc, and those enforcing the lockdown like police and fire and emergency service personnel must be sensitised on steps to be taken to protect themselves and their workplaces from dengue and malaria.
Copies of the letter have been sent to Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, Dy Director NVBDCP, Dy Director Panchayats, Director Fire & Emergency Services, Director Fisheries, Principal Chief Engineer PWD, Chief Engineer WRD, Managing Director GOA IDC, president of Verna Industries Association and SP(South) Goa Police.
