SAURAV KUMAR SHUKLA
Ranchi, Oct 8: Mosquito-borne diseases Chikungunya and Dengue have taken a frightening form in Jharkhand. According to the data of the Jharkhand Health Department, till October 7, 1785 dengue patients and 269 chikungunya patients have been found in the state.
Apart from the figures, the Jharkhand Health Department has allocated Rs 2 crore 75 lakh 91 thousand for DDT spraying (labour) and transportation expenses in nine districts in the year 2023-24 under the Malaria Control Program State. Now the question arises that when DDT was sprayed, then how did mosquito-borne diseases dengue and chikungunya spread so rapidly?
A dengue patient has been identified in the Latehar district, while no cases of chikungunya have been reported. However, an allocation of Rs 78,16,000 has been made for the DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) campaign in this district, including Rs 76,14,000 for labour costs and Rs 2,02,000 for transportation expenses.
The highest number of dengue patients have been found in East Singhbhum. Here, as of October 7, 1044 dengue patients have been recorded, while 56 cases of chikungunya have also been reported. An allocation of Rs 17,45,000 has been made for this district for the DDT campaign, of which Rs 16,25,000 is designated for labour costs and Rs 1,20,000 for transportation expenses.
Meanwhile, in West Singhbhum, 30 dengue patients have been found, and no cases of chikungunya have been reported. In this district, an allocation of Rs 76,21,000 has been made for the DDT campaign, with Rs 72,61,000 allocated for labour costs and Rs 3,60,000 for transportation expenses.
Meanwhile, Nadeem Khan, who is working in public health, stated that the spread of dengue in the capital, Ranchi, is rapidly increasing. Particularly in the slum areas, every household is encountering individuals suffering from fever. However, the allocation under the guise of the DDT campaign has only been utilized for food supply to combat mosquito-borne diseases. The allocation of funds may be documented, but the ground reality presents a different picture.
Allocation of funds for the DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) campaign in these districts:
- East Singhbhum: Rs 17,45,000
- Ranchi: Rs 8,45,000
- West Singhbhum: Rs 76,21,000
- Saraikela-Kharsawan: Rs 27,91,000
- Khunti: Rs 20,88,000
- Lohardaga: Rs 4,61,000
- Simdega: Rs 21,36,000
- Latehar: Rs 78,16,000
- Garhwa: Rs 20,88,000
