Delhi will be made free from dengue and chikungunya, says Arvind Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that he plans to make Delhi free from mosquito-borne diseases.

New Delhi:: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that he plans to make the national capital free from mosquito-borne diseases and have directed the authorities to make a comprehensive plan for it.

The directions were issued at a high-level meeting of officers from the municipal corporations, the Delhi government and among others, chaired by the chief minister.

Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “Delhi will be made mosquito-free. We will have to get rid of mosquito-borne diseases. It will be made a people’s movement. It is only possible with people’s participation.”

To prepare the proposal, officers from the central government will also be involved.

Briefing about the meeting, Kejriwal’s deputy Manish Sisodia said, “The chief minister has also directed to increase beds in all government hospitals by up to 20 per cent for the treatment of fever patients.”

This is the first meeting held by the chief minister to review preparedness to deal with mosquito- borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

He said that to ensure that fever patients don’t have to face problems, the chief minister has also ordered to set up a call centre where people can get information about the availability of beds in a particular hospital.

He said online database of beds in government hospitals will be created.

Sisodia said, “The call centre will help fever patients get beds in government hospitals. Like last year, the government will also fix the maximum fee for dengue and chikungunya tests in the city.”

The deputy chief minister said that Kejriwal will again hold a review meeting in the next 10-15 days.

Till April 15 this year, 27 cases of dengue and 79 chikungunya cases have been reported.

Last year, 4,431 cases of dengue and 7,760 cases of chikungunya were reported.

(With PTI inputs)