Once again Chennai Corporation has made plans to tackle the mosquito menace in the city. The civic body budget for the year 2012-2013, presented on Monday, has allocated Rs. 27.15 crore under Health category, which includes tackling the mosquito menace.
It will tie up with entomology research departments of city colleges, seek help from experts in vector control and procure an amphibian vehicle to assist in reduction of mosquito breeding in canals. It will sign MoUs with Loyola College, Madras Christian College and Presidency College.
Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy said the civic body will procure 15 additional fogging machines, 45 insecticide sprayers with power pumps, and 100 fogging machines and 45 mini autos to take the fogging machines into smaller lanes.
The Corporation, at the same time, has spared a thought for animal lovers. Shelters are to be set up for community dogs that lack shelter and are without owners. The animals would be provided with proper veterinary assistance. The public would be encouraged to adopt such dogs.
With Chennai becoming a preferred destination for cardiac care, the Corporation plans to set up a transit home for providing accommodation for patients and their attendants. These would be maintained under public private partnership as a pilot project.
It has plans to create specific hospital zones, under which areas where large hospitals are located would receive special attention. Approach roads, street furniture and appropriate street planning would be taken up in these neighbourhoods.
With a budget allocation of Rs. 84 crore, the Family Welfare Department will create other facilities including, a multi-purpose hospital with leprosy centre at Madambakkam, 11 dental units to cover the newly-expanded areas, five laboratories and dialysis units for these areas.
Mr. Duraisamy said four maternity centres in Tiruvottiyur, Madhavaram, Alandur and Ambattur would be renovated, two new emergency obstetric centres (EOC) would come up at Perungudi and Valasavakkam, and all EOCs will get washing machines and a health management information system.
