Congress Slams GHMC, MIM For Rise In Viral Fever Cases In Old City

Raising serious concern over the rise in dengue, viral fever and other vector-borne diseases in the Old City of Hyderabad, Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) president Sameer Waliullah strongly criticized the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for its "ineffective" monsoon action plan, and the "negligent" attitude of the MIM MLAs and corporators.

Sameer Waliullah said that despite the city receiving several spells of monsoon rains, the GHMC was yet to begin fogging and spraying operations. He said that the Old City was already a "capital of potholes" where rainwater accumulated. The GHMC had also failed to lift garbage from many areas. All of these factors had resulted in the spread of several diseases, including viral fever and dengue, he said.

The Congress leader said that there had been a significant increase in weather-related diseases in the past 8 to 10 days. The outpatient department of Gandhi Hospital had received over 2,500 patients, and Osmania Hospital and Fever Hospital also saw a surge in patient numbers, he claimed. Most of the cases were from the Old City, he said. He also expressed concern over the increase in dengue cases, saying that of the 120 cases reported in June, at least 65 were from the Old City.

Sameer Waliullah said that the MIM MLAs and corporators too had failed to perform their duties.

"They have not made any representations to the GHMC officials to repair damaged roads, prevent the accumulation of water in potholes, or carry out fogging and anti-larval spraying operations. No additional stock of medicines and testing kits has been supplied to the Old City, either," he said.

The Hyderabad DCC president demanded that the GHMC immediately undertake fogging and anti-larval operations. He also called for health screening camps, an adequate supply of medicines and diagnostic kits to all Basti Dawakhanas and urban primary health centres, and an awareness campaign to sensitize people on the precautions to be taken for the prevention of rain-related diseases.