Chandrababu Naidu expresses ire at officials over spread of dengue, malaria

Amaravati: Asking the officials to reduce the number of dengue and malaria cases in the State, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told the medical and health department officials that he will visit the areas where high number of cases had been registered from Monday onwards. Naidu expressed concern over the rise in dengue fever cases in the State. The Chief Minister held a video-conference with officials of the Medical and Health department at his residence at Undavalli on Saturday.

He expressed anger over the officials, stating that despite providing all the facilities and supplying the required medical equipment there was visible inefficiency in the Medical and Health department. It was reported that 1,196 dengue fever cases were recorded within first 25 weeks of this year. There was rise in the cases this year when compared to the last year in Guntur, Visakhapatnam and Anantapur districts.

Chandrababu Naidu interacted with District Collectors of Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam and enquired about the status of communicable diseases like dengue, malaria and viral fevers. He said that the officials should focus on the areas where the diseases are more prevalent and immediately take preventive measures. The Chief Minister pointed out that the highest dengue cases were reported from the districts of Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Anantapur and East Godavari districts. He asked the officials to explain the preventive and curative measures initiated by them in these districts. 

Reacting to the failure of officials in anticipating the possibility of outbreak of these diseases at certain vulnerable places in the State, Chandrababu Naidu said that it would be difficult to understand the prevalence of the diseases if they ignore previous history. He informed that they must compare the present cases with the previous year’s reports. They must focus on where, when and how the diseases spread in different places. Then only the authorities would be able to take necessary action to control the spread of communicable diseases.

Chandrababu Naidu warned that if the officials failed to take the necessary preventive measures, then he would take serious action against them. He gave three days time to the officials to take measures to prevent the spread of dengue case in the State. If the officials failed to check the spread of communicable diseases by Monday, then he warned that he will directly visit the areas where the highest number of cases had been reported and would take immediate action against the officials.

He said that he will not tolerate any negligence with regard to protecting people’s health. He asked the officials if they identified hotspots of dengue and malaria. He directed them to identify them immediately. Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that these communicable diseases are controllable and officials must step in to action instead of giving reasons.