Mysuru : Health Minister U T Khader said, last year the highest number of dengue cases in the State were reported from Mysuru, while Mangaluru topped in the incidence of malaria, so elaborate steps are being taken this year to check vector-borne diseases.

He was addressing a media conference, after chairing a district-level progress review meeting on the measures planned to check communicable and vector-borne diseases, at the District Health Officer’s office here, on Tuesday.

“Compared to last year, incidence of either dengue or communicable diseases in Mysuru are less, but it may be due to the delay in the monsoon. The beginning of the monsoon is crucial in this regard, as water stagnates, helping breeding of mosquitoes and spread of diseases. There are various reasons for the highest incidence of dengue cases in Mysuru as it is a tourist destination and records a large number of floating population. So, steps have to be taken, considering the factors,” he said.

The officials have been asked to randomly conduct tests on visitors at tourists spots in the city and to direct hotels and restaurants to provide boiled water for drinking to customers.

As a supportive step towards ensuring health for all, the Health department is launching a cleanliness drive (Swachhatha Abhiyan) in association with the urban local bodies, Panchayat bodies and other organisations on June 16. Starting from slums on June 16, construction sites on 17th, government buildings on 18th, educational institutions on 19th, public places on 20th, hospitals on 21st and industrial areas on 22nd, participation of people from all walks of life is being encouraged, he said.

Communicable diseases nodal officers have been appointed for all districts to get a clear picture about the health of the people. Three mobile units, comprising a laboratory, medicines and equipment for spraying pesticides to check breeding of mosquitoes have been provided for each district. As some districts are vast in area, additional mobile units will be provided if necessary. The objective behind introducing the mobile units is to reach even remote villages and tribal colonies, Khader said.

When his attention was drawn towards the vacancies in government hospitals, the minister said, out of 138 vacancies in Mysuru district, doctors and lab technicians are required in just 12 PHCs. All PHCs have been directed to shift the patients in 108 ambulance to a nearby PHC, even if there is no doctor or lab technician, as the people should not be forced to go to a private hospital, he added.

When asked about the proposed District Hospital in the city, Khader said, two sites — Endemic Diseases Hospital and Tulasidas Maternity Hospital premises — have been identified for the purpose. The construction of the hospital building will begin once the site for it is decided, he said.