The alarming instances of dengue and chikungunia in Uttarakhand this year are not only indicative of a Government machinery affected by long standing flaws but is also a sign of the poor level of awareness, concern and initiative in the society. Observers point out that like various other Government departments, the health department and municipal authorities have become habituated to working with inadequate or improper resources with complacency towards inefficiency and blatant violation of regulations exacerbated by the high level of apathy, inactivity and even flouting of civic norms by a broad section of society. A sociologist stated that the comparatively larger proportion of dengue and other vector borne diseases cases being reported this year may also been pushed higher by public apathy and growing acceptance of open violation of even basic civic norms especially those related to maintaining civic sanitation and preventing environmental pollution including noise pollution.
“This trend is rampant in both the government establishment and the society in general in a town which is often touted as a ‘hub of education’. Despite awareness generation through media reports, publicity measures and other events featuring anything from distributing fruits and medicines free to patients in the Doon Hospital to visitors in free medical camps held by private enterprises, both the establishment and general public have shown little change in the general attitude towards civic sanitation and public health issues. It is common to see even basic civic sense and regulations being openly flouted even in the very workshops and other formal events which are supposedly aimed at raising awareness and instilling the sense of responsibility which is most often talked about repeatedly by elected public representatives from the municipal councillor up to the chief minister and governor apart from noted personalities. The conditions which are conducive to generate and spread sickness are evident in most Government and private establishments—commercial and residential mainly because of the public attitude towards civic obligations and health-environmental issues.
If not confronted and addressed as required soon, this socio-political phenomenon may worsen the health issues and condition of the social and natural environment here,” opined the sociologist.