PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Many locals in Dehradun raised questions about the efficacy of the Health department’s much-touted dengue survey involving ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and volunteers, saying that their areas have not seen any such survey. The Health department claims that this campaign involves not only surveying for larvae at households but also raising awareness among residents about dengue prevention. As per their claim, more than seven lakh households have been surveyed for dengue so far this year.
One resident, Sakshi Kumari, a resident of Dharampur stated that no team had visited her home or her neighbourhood. “We are really concerned with such teams shunning our areas. The monsoon is around the corner and as per the doctors, dengue figures may spike further. Besides, we have seen an early onset of the dengue this year. We wonder whether the team of volunteers are steering clear of our areas or this is a common experience for all residents,” she said.
Another local, Vishal Negi of Raipur road area shared similar concerns regarding the dengue surveys being conducted by the Health department. “They claim that the teams have been conducting house to house campaigns, but we are yet to see them visiting our areas. The question is: where are they going and why are we being kept out of their activities?” he asked.
Many others The Pioneer has spoken to have echoed the same grievances.
When inquired, the chief medical officer (CMO), Dehradun, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma said that the teams consisting of ASHA workers and volunteers are regularly conducting dengue surveys in designated households, ward-wise. “The survey reports are accurately documented by the Health department,” he said. The CMO also claimed that some people are not cooperating with the visiting teams. “They slam their doors upon them. Or the pet dogs make it difficult for them to do their duty,” he added.
Dr Sharma, however, appealed to those who said that the teams have not visited them yet to approach the Health department. “We will then see to it that they visit them, too,” he added.
