Save Bangalore: Will we get well soon?

Save Bangalore: Will we get well soon?


Express News Service First Published : 19 Jun 2009 07:42:13 AM ISTLast Updated : 19 Jun 2009 08:29:45 AM IST
BANGALORE: Monsoon that can be a happy affair for many has usually turned up in its ugly forms for Bangaloreans, thanks to the collapsing infrastructure and systems. Illhealth breeds in every corner of the city due to the incessant mosquito problem. The IT city has even witnessed deaths due to malaria, suspected cases of dengue and chikungunya.
According to doctors the other diseases the city has seen are typhoid, diarrhoea, dysentery, infections, cholera, allergies, bronchitis, respiratory problems and many more.
“During monsoon the body’s resistance power takes a beating,” says Dr Nandini Swamy of ESI hospital.
Toxic mix
Unfortunately, Bangalore has always suffered from the most unthinkable mix-ups. Due to the presence of sewage drains inside storm water drains, and the proximity of regular water pipes and drain pipes, during the rainy season the waters get mixed. Several disease like cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery are the mainly cause by consuming such water. “We are receiving a considerably large number of patients with complaints of GE, typhoid and cholera due to water contamination in the areas by overflowing of sewage water mixes with the drinking water,” she added.
However, the palike claims that in case a leakage is reported, the BBMP task force reports it to the BWSSB. “In case people come with the complains of pipe leakage in the areas, our task force with the assistance of BWSSB immediately fixes the problem,” says Dr Manoranjan Hegde, Deputy health officer and project coordinator (Communicable diseases), BBMP.
“The BBMP task force which works in close coordination with the BWSSB ensure that proper amount of chlorine is added to the water,” he added.
Breeding ground
Accumulation of water on the roads, potholes, and in certain lowlying areas prove to be breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
Areas like DJ halli, KG halli, Tannery road, Shivajinagar, Yeshwanthpur, RT Nagar, Sarjapura regularly witness a spate of these diseases.
Who let the mosquitoes out?
The BBMP is currently facing an acute shortage of workers for carrying out mosquito control programmes.
According to sources, the palike lacks the sufficient number of people for spraying and fogging activities. However taking stock of the situation, the newly appointed commissioner has confirmed that more people will be appointed to the task of larvicide and adulticide.
However, Dr Lokesh, Project coordinator of vector-borne diseases control programme (BBMP), said that the public should also participate voluntarily to clear up the stagnant water from the areas besides bringing it to the notice of the palike.
The health department, however, has made arrangements to keep a sufficient stock of the medicines at drug logistics centre at Magadi Road.