Kasargod: Over 40 migrant labourers working at construction sites in the Central University of Kerala (CUK) main campus here at Periye have got Malaria. The University has intensified the immunisation programme with the help of the health department.
The University’s Public Health and Community Medicine department has also chipped in with an awareness campaign and screening camp among labourers, students and staff.
Over 1,000 migrant labourers are working in the constructions sites of CUK campus, building the new academic blocks and hostels. They are staying in temporary camps set up near the sites which are learnt to have poor living conditions with water logged areas. “Those who have been affected either have left for their native places or have been admitted to nearby hospitals. At present nobody in the campus has been reported with malarial infection. Health department officials have taken the blood samples for testing,” said CUK Executive Engineer K.G Rajagopal.
CUK Public Health department is coordinating with the nearby Community Health Centre and DMO team in controlling malaria. “We are doing a three-domain programme among the workers. A clinical screening and surveillance programme is being done to identify anyone who has any symptoms of the disease. Secondly, an environmental survey and mapping is being conducted to identify whether mosquito breeding sites prevail where the workers live. We are also conducting a health awareness campaign using posters in Hindi,” said Public Health department head in-charge Madhu Unnikrishnan.
During the second phase, the University is planning to extend the awareness campaign and screening among students and staff.
