‘Mazhayethum Munpe,’ the pre-monsoon cleaning programme of the Kozhikode Corporation, is progressing well despite a severe lack of funds, shortage of health personnel and infrastructure.
Corporation health standing committee chairperson Janamma Kunhunni said all arrangements had been made for a grand closure of the almost a month-long programme, though temporarily, on May 27. The desilting of drainages in the city was carried out at a cost of Rs.60 lakh. Rat poison was distributed to all households and shops and was used simultaneously on April 29. A new fogging machine had been purchased and the ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife) and other staff had been trained to use it to eliminate mosquitoes. The Corporation’s vector control unit was cooperating with the District Health Department to take measures to prevent occurrence and spread of contagious diseases. The vector control unit had visited all wards to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.
The Corporation distributed notices and pamphlets among the public urging them to observe dry day once a week, to avoid stagnation of water on their house premises, and to ensure that plastic and other waste are segregated at the source. Arrangements had been made for timely disposal of solid waste. A squad had been formed to inspect if water tanks at schools were properly cleaned.
The public had been urged to go to the nearest medical centre in case of symptoms of contagious diseases. The 16 health centres in the Corporation were fully equipped to meet emergency situations, Ms. Kunhunni said. “We have a shortage of Health Inspectors. The Health Superintendent had been here only for a week. What we actually need is a Health Officer,” Ms. Kunhunni said.
