Meeting held over dengue and malaria concerns in Bengal - The Statesman

The article provides an update on a crucial meeting held in West Bengal to address the growing concerns related to dengue and malaria outbreaks in the state. Here are the key points from the article:

1. Meeting Overview: The meeting was convened by the top officials of the West Bengal state administration to discuss the escalating dengue and malaria situation. It was conducted virtually and chaired by Home Secretary B.P. Gopalika.

2. Participants: Health Secretary Narayanswarup Nigam was also present at the meeting, representing the state administrative headquarters, Nabanna. However, the Chief Secretary, Harikrishna Dwivedi, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were absent, as the Chief Secretary was on a trip to Spain with the Chief Minister.

3. Government Initiatives: Mr. Gopalika highlighted several measures taken by the state government to combat the dengue and malaria outbreaks, including:

   • Opening 200 centers for dengue testing.
   • Activating 24-hour fever clinics.
   • Admitting all patients with dengue symptoms to hospitals and closely monitoring the condition of 25 critical patients.
   • Providing information on healthcare infrastructure in all districts of Bengal to the Chief Secretary.

4. Public Cooperation: The Home Secretary urged the public to cooperate with the government's efforts to control the spread of dengue and malaria by taking preventive measures such as using mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), using mosquito repellents, and eliminating stagnant water sources around their homes.

5. Disease Statistics: The article mentioned that there has been a significant increase in the number of dengue cases in the state. Unofficial sources indicate that approximately 25,000 people have been affected by dengue since January, and 10 people have died from the disease.

6. Public Awareness: The state government has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms of dengue or malaria.

This meeting reflects the state government's efforts to address the rising health concerns caused by dengue and malaria outbreaks and its call for public cooperation in disease prevention.