Chennai: Recent reports of dengue cases in the city have brought a sense of fear among residents of T Nagar and West Mambalam, in the city, as the entire area is surrounded by waterways of the Mambalam canal.
News Today takes up the issue with Dr Sukanya Devi, Health Officer of Corporation Zone 10, who briefed about proactive and reactive measures to check this illness and the counteraction taken by the civic body.
“First and foremost, when a resident suffers from fever, he or she should rush to the nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the area to check for blood count. Upon verifying the blood test result, our medical team will treat and provide medicines. If the count is abnormal, then subsequent tests will be arranged to find whether it is dengue or not,” she said.
“Our PHCs are equipped with adequate doctors and medicines, so residents should seek immediate attention when they feel ill,” she noted.
About preventive measures, she said, “Our Zonal officials are on the move instructing residents to avoid dumping of discarded materials like tyres, buckets and trash containers where fresh water will be saved during rains. Pamphlet and open demonstrations are arranged at important locations to create awareness about preventing dengue,” adding, “Another important aspect is to avoid self-medication as it will aggravate the fever further.”
Residents on the other hand, feel that the civic body needs to act more swiftly, as many areas surrounding the Mambalam canal are yet to be cleaned and have hence becomes breeding grounds.
“The waterbody in our space is dumped with garbage,” complained Saraswathi, a resident of CIT Nagar East.
Similarly, places like Dr Thomas Road, South Boag Road, CIT Nagar West, Canal Bank Road, New Boag Road, Station Road, Hindi Prachar Sabha Street, Muthallamman Koil Street, Kavarai Street, Eswaran Koil Street and Subha Reddy Street need to be attended for issues like dumping of garbage and stagnation of rain water, said many.