L-G directs government departments, MCDs to work together

Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday directed all Delhi government departments and the three Delhi Municipal Corporations to work together to effectively counter the menace of vector-borne diseases.

Jung's directions came at a review meeting he held with all the stakeholders, including government departments and the capital's three civic corporations, on outbreak of dengue and chikungunya in the city.

After the meeting, Health Minister Satyendra Jain told reporters that Jung has directed all the departments to work together.

Jain said he informed Jung that the chances of mosquito breeding will increase following the recent spell of rain.

"Lt. Governor has directed the MCDs to give more attention to cleanliness and has given them the primary responsibility of prevention (of mosquito breeding)," he said.

He added that the number of patients suffering from vector-borne diseases has decreased in the hospitals.

"But after the recent spell of rain yesterday (Tuesday), we need to be more vigilant," he added.

Asked if the city's government-run fever clinics will be closed down considering that the number of patients has gone down, Jain said, "They will keep functioning. We still need them".

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Secretary (Health) C.K. Mishra and other officers.

New Delhi Municipal Council Chairperson Naresh Kumar, the city's all three municipal commissioners, Chief Executive Officer of Delhi Cantonment Board, Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and General Manager of Northern Railways were also present.

The meeting was convened by Lt. Governor on the direction from the Supreme Court, which on Tuesday asked him and Delhi Chief Minister to join hands and resolve means to contain the spread of chikunguniya and dengue in the National Capital Territory.

--IANS

vv-bns-am/sm/vt