BMC turns to Big B to battle dengue

With the rapid rise in cases of dengue and malaria in the city, the civic body has decided to release a short film that raises awareness about the diseases and lists precautionary measures. For this, the BMC wishes to make the veteran actor part of the project.

The BMC wishes to involve Amitabh Bachchan in its awareness campaign on dengue and malaria. File pic

"The film will be displayed in all movie theatres," said sources from the health department. It has been found that the number of dengue cases are on the rise since July 2012 and it is a nationwide phenomenon. Analysis shows that more than 50 per cent cases are reported from non-slum areas, and in more than 90 per cent of the cases, breeding was found in the patient's house or in the surrounding area," a source said.

One of the several dengue awareness banners put up by the BMC in the city. File pic

Dr Arun Bamne, executive health officer, BMC, said, "Amitabh Bachchan's participation in the awareness campaign would definitely be helpful for the BMC." However, he said that Mayor Sunil Prabhu was taking the initiative to invite Bachchan. "He had assured Uddhavji (Uddhav Thackeray) and me that he would help the BMC for a social cause. We will appoint an agency to create the concept for the awareness campaign.

Once the script is ready, we will request Amitabhji to be a part of the project," said Prabhu. According to the mayor, the campaign is in its preliminary stages. The actor couldn't be reached for comment, despite several attempts.

Awareness camps
The civic authorities have been making efforts to make people aware. They have organised special camps and exhibitions, which explain to the people, details about possible breeding sites of mosquitoes in and around the household. A documentary regarding mosquito control is also shown in these camps. From July 2013 onwards, a special drive has been organised for dengue awareness, involving 2,075 NSS students, 200 students from medical colleges and volunteers from Mumbai District AIDS Control Society. These efforts reached 11,349 housing societies, 917 education institutes and 6,076 work places. In all 1,34,119 posters have been displayed in the city.

Deadly figures
In the past 10 months, 698 dengue cases and 14 deaths have been reported in civic hospitals, whereas 615 cases have been reported from 37 private hospitals in the city. Over 8,000 cases of malaria and 17 deaths have been reported in civic hospitals.

1,313
Confirmed dengue cases over the past 10 months in both civic-run and private hospitals

14
No of deaths on record due to dengue in civic hospitals

8,000
No of malaria cases in the city over the past 10 months

17
No of deaths on record due to malaria in civic hospitalsu00a0