Corporation speeds up anti-vector drive

Chennai: Chennai corporation an­n­ounced in its council me­et on Friday that an additional five lakh mosquito nets would be procured for distribution to the poor and people res­iding along water bodies.

A resolution was pas­sed and mayor Saidai. S. Duraisamy said, “The civic body is already distributing nets to people who are financially we­ak to guard from mosqu­ito bites.

In addition to this, five lakh nets at Rs 169 per net and at a total cost of Rs 8.45 crore will be procured for distribution. Residents having a green card can get the nets. People who do not possess a ration card but are in need of mosquito nets can also benefit from the scheme,” the mayor said.

“In addition to providing mosquito nets, the corporation must focus on preventing mosquito breeding as the nets can act only as a temporary respite,” said DMK floor leader S.C. Bose.

“One malaria worker has been appointed to check mosquito breeding for every 500 houses and around 80 thousand houses are being mon­ito­red by these workers every day,” Mr Dura­isamy said.

“More than 50 per cent of mosquito breeding occurs due to the illegal drainage connections given to storm water dr­ains in the city, and this will be addressed by for­m­ing special zone wise committees to monitor the connections,” he added.

A detailed report on the outcome of the medical camps recently conducted by the civic body was also submitted during the council meet.

“Around 3.29 crore wo­rth medical services we­re provided at 1,000 slu­ms in the city,” acc­or­ding to the report. “Su­ch medical camps will be cond­ucted  regularly,” Mr Du­­­r­aisamy said.