DHNS
 
Mangalore Jan 6: On the lines of the National Anti-Malaria Campaign, Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) launched a drive against malaria here on Friday. Under the drive, 50 selected volunteers in different teams will conduct a door-to-door campaign in the City Corporation limits for the next three months.

“Each team, comprising 5 volunteers will be accompanied by a sanitation inspector. Each member is supposed to visit at least 50 houses every day, in between 8.30 am and 12 noon. They are required to submit a report to the Senior Sanitation Inspector by 3.30 pm on the same day. There are over 98,000 houses under MCC limits,” Health Standing Committee President Mahabala Marla told reporters during the launch of the drive.

The main objective of the door-to-door campaign is to create an awareness among the public about malaria, causes of its origin and its control. The volunteers, who are paid with remuneration for their service, will ask any fever-affected people to undergo a test conducted free of cost by the MCC, even though the fever may not be malaria, Mr Marla explained. The places where free malaria check-up and treatment are conducted include, MCC building, Bejai Oushadhalaya, Bunder Unani Oushdhalaya, Jeppu Oushadhalaya and another clinic at Hotel Pentagon near Pumpwell circle, he informed.

Mr Marla also said the volunteers, who had already undergone two training sessions, would inspect the water tanks in each home and ask the residents to clear the places which originate mosquitoes carrying Malaria. They will warn the members that if such situation is found during the second visit too, they will be fined, Mr Marla said.

Mayor Vijaya Arun who handed over posters and booklets containing information on malaria to the volunteers, said the drive would be extended if malaria was not under control after three months. MCC Commissioner Krishnappa Poojary, Chief Whip Krishnappa Mendon, Health Officer Gopalakrishna Delampady, Town Planning Standing Committee President Kavitha Sanil and others were present.

Fine to be Increased?

The City Corporation is thinking of increasing the fine being imposed against those institutions where mosquitoes breed due to carelessness, despite warnings. Two institutions have been fined Rs 95, while 18 institutions have been fined Rs 50 so far, which is in fact negligible to them. Mr Mahabala Marla hinted that the issue of increasing the fine would be raised in the next Council meet. The death toll due to malaria was 10 in 2005, which has increased to 12 in 2006, though the reports show that the total cases have decreased from 15,078 to 12,189.