NMMC Launches 6-Day Fogging Drive Against Malaria, Dengue

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has launched a six-day special fogging drive across the city to control the mosquito menace and prevent the spread of malaria and dengue. The drive, which started on August 17, will continue until August 22.

The campaign is being conducted by the NMMC Health Department under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde. The drive is being carried out in six groups covering multiple Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs). Fogging personnel from four to five UPHCs are being deployed together to carry out chemical fogging across the entire jurisdiction of the respective centres.

The first phase of the drive was conducted on Monday in the areas covered by the CBD, Vashigaon and Digha UPHCs. The second phase will be conducted on Tuesday in Sector 48, Kukashet, Pawane and Ghansoli, followed by Karave, Nerul-2, Turbhe, Nosilnaka and Katkaripada on Wednesday.

Fogging will be carried out in Shiravane, Sanpada and Ilthanpada on Thursday, followed by Nerul-1, Juhugaon, Mahape and Chinchpada on Friday. The final phase will cover Indiranagar, Khairane, Rabada and Airoli on Saturday. Medical officers and health assistants of the respective UPHCs are supervising the campaign.

In addition to the fogging drive, the civic body also conducted malaria and dengue awareness camps at Shiva temples under 20 UPHCs on Monday. A total of 8,563 devotees visited the 20 awareness camps, while 137 blood samples were collected. During the camps, health officials demonstrated the breeding sites of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes and showed mosquito larvae to citizens.

Residents were advised to cover water storage drums and tanks, clean and dry water containers once a week, and eliminate stagnant water from scrap materials, tyres, plastic sheets and tarpaulins. Citizens were also urged to seek medical advice immediately if they develop a fever.

The NMMC has appealed to residents to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites in and around their homes, keep their surroundings clean and remove scrap material that can collect stagnant water. Mayor Sujata Suraj Patil and Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde emphasized the importance of residents' cooperation in controlling malaria and dengue in Navi Mumbai.

The NMMC's efforts to control malaria and dengue are crucial, especially during the monsoon season when the risk of these diseases is higher. The civic body's awareness campaigns and fogging drives aim to educate residents about the importance of preventing mosquito breeding and seeking medical help promptly if symptoms occur.

In conclusion, the NMMC's 6-day fogging drive and awareness campaigns are significant steps towards controlling malaria and dengue in Navi Mumbai. The cooperation of residents is essential in preventing the spread of these diseases, and the civic body's efforts will hopefully lead to a reduction in the number of cases in the city.