Chennai Corporation has 112 sanitary inspectors for 200 wards

CHENNAI: At a time, when the metropolis is reeling under threat of epidemic diseases and mosquito menace fueled by recent rains, the Chennai corporation is left baffled with lack of sanitary inspectors (SI). Usually, every division of the civic body must have a sanitary inspector to address the health and sanitation woes. Further the SI’s play a crucial role in conducting medical camps. Though the Chennai corporation is using the service of Basic Health Workers (BHW) in place of sanitary inspectors, the day-to-day routine is adversely affected, according to Ripon Building insiders.

“The Chennai corporation is having only 112 sanitary inspectors to monitor 200 wards. As half of its wards are void of sanitary inspectors, we have to take care of more than two wards, which makes the job tough,” a sanitary inspector said. “For example, the Teynampet zone has 18 wards. But the zone has only 5 sanitary inspectors. During deluge control of mosquito larvae is a Herculean task as it takes only five days for larvae to become a mosquito. Vacancy is an issue affecting the vector control measure,” explains the sanitary inspector.

It is learnt that Chennai corporation has sent a missive to Directorate of Public Health (DPH) asking clearance to appoint sanitary inspectors. “We still do not get a reply from the DPH. Unless DPH clears the appointment of sanitary inspectors, we could not be able to proceed,” said a senior Chennai corporation official, when contacted. “From last week, the mosquito menace in the locality increased. But the fogging and other malaria control activities were not taken out by the authorities,” S. Kalyani, a resident of Valasaravakkam said.