A day after the Supreme Court directed the Delhi Government and lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung to stop indulging in blame game over curbing dengue and chikungunya, Jung chaired a meeting on Wednesday at Raj Niwas with all the stakeholders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Union Health Secretary (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI) CK Mishra with his Additional Secretary and other officers and directed them to take all necessary steps to stop further worsening of the situation related to vector-borne diseases.
Sources said during the meeting, it was stated that the situation is under control pertaining dengue and chikungunya.
It was stated that incidents of patients down with fever rushing to hospitals have come down by 40-50 per cent in the last few days as number of mobile vans and mohalla clinics have been increased.
The medical superintendents of major hospitals, such as Hindu Rao, GB Pant, lok Nayak, B S Ambedkar etc stated that the fever clinics and fever wards are operational round the clock and adequate supply of testing kits and medicines are available in all hospitals.
The l-G asked for a feedback from all the stakeholders on the directions issued by him in the previous two review meetings — September 14 and September 26 — held at Raj Niwas.
During the meeting, the l-G has directed Health Minister to hold review meeting on weekly basis instead of monthly basis.
It is noted that the CM and the l-G finally met after six months on the directions of the Supreme Court to discuss the menace of vector- borne diseases in the national Capital. Kejriwal did not utter a single word in the review meeting despite the l-G asking him to give suggestion.
During the meeting, Kejriwal reportedly told the l-G that cases of chkungunya and dengue have come down and mohalla clinics are functioning to the full capacity. People visit these clinics more than the hospitals. The next review meeting is expected to be very soon.
Similarly, all the three municipal commissioners talked about the preventive measures have been taken by them to check mosquito breeding and other anti-larval measures, such as regular cleaning of dhalaos, ample fumigation and fogging. The Municipal bodies further pointed out that the publicity and awareness programmes are being conducted by them in association with Resident Welfare Associations, Market Associations and Schools.
The Chairman (NDMC) and all three Municipal Commissioners informed the l-G about the preventive measures being taken by them to check mosquito breeding and other anti-larval measures, such as regular cleaning of dhalaos, ample fumigation, fogging etc.
The Municipal bodies also apprised about the publicity and awareness programmes being conducted by them in association with RWAs, Market Associations, Schools etc. They also talked about the preparedness of their hospitals, dispensaries, as also of medicines, testing kits etc available with them.
The municipal commissioners stated they have drawn a roster for field visits by Deputy Commissioners, which is being followed strictly. “The mapping of critical dhalaos has been done and shared with concessionaires so that garbage does not overflow in these dhalaos,” the municipal commissioners stated.
The health secretary of the Delhi Government stated the so far 25 per cent of beds in all the hospitals dedicated to fever patients are lying vacant.
Similarly, the Delhi Jal Board informed the l-G of the additional pumps deployed by them to remove sewage surcharge.
Health Minister Satyendra Jain stated that hospitals are equipped to handle fever cases and currently 355 fever clinics are running, including on Sundays.