Not enough staff in North Corpn to handle vector-borne diseases

Even as cases of dengue and malaria are rising in the city, lack of preparations to curb the vector-borne diseases by civic agencies are evident from the fact that a majority of posts in the malaria department of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation are vacant.

While all the posts of entomologists and assistant malaria officer (AMO) with the civic body are vacant, a majority of seats for other posts have also not been filled.
The North Corporation has six posts of entomologists and AMO and all of them are vacant. Similarly, 61 of 96 posts of senior malaria inspector and 244 of 360 posts of malaria inspector are lying vacant.

“The fact that such a huge number of posts in the department are vacant exposes the level of preparations for curbing malaria and dengue. The officials are claiming that they have made all arrangements. What kind of preparations are being done when they do not have supervisory level staff,” said leader of opposition in North Corporation Mukesh Goel.

According to corporation officials, 209 cases of malaria have been reported in the city till October 6, and with 70 cases the North Corporation leads the three corporations in the number of malaria cases.

Similarly, the number of dengue cases to date stands at 259 — including 30 cases reported on Tuesday. Of the three corporations, the maximum number of dengue cases (109) have been reported from areas that come under the North Corporation.

Several other posts at the subordinate level in the corporation are also vacant. Of 100 posts of supervisor field workers, 91 are empty. Then 683 posts out of 934 seats of field worker have only been filled. Out of 100 posts for contractual field workers, there are no takers for 40 posts.

In the south

Leaders in the South Corporation have also raised concerns over the number of dengue and malaria cases under the jurisdiction of the civic body, and charged that the numbers provided by officials are incorrect.

“The numbers being put forth by the officials are not correct as the cases are being under-reported. The officials are not at all prepared to curb breeding of mosquitoes,” said Farhad Suri, leader of opposition in South Corporation.

“The failure of the three civic bodies in controlling vector-born diseases has forced the city government to step in. State health minister A K Walia had a series of meetings with health department officers of the three corporations and medical superintendents of hospitals,” Suri said.

BJP councillors also questioned the figures provided by the municipal bodies in the standing committee meeting of SDMC on Tuesday.