Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government is fully prepared to deal with dengue and chikungunya cases.

Kejriwal chaired a meeting of all the departments to review the comprehensive action plan for the prevention of vector borne diseases in Delhi during the coming rainy season. The meeting was attended by the top officials of all concerned departments, civic bodies and heads of hospitals.

Chief Minister asked the entire team to put in more efforts in the months to come. “Next four months are very important for the health and well being of the people of Delhi. We have to put efforts to get the number of the cases down compared to that of the last year.  I am sure that we will further reduce the number of cases this year,” he said.

“Rainy season is coming. During these days, there are cases of dengue and chikungunya. God may keep your family healthy. “Delhi Government is completely prepared to deal with it. Today, I reviewed (preparations) in a meeting of all departments...” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

According to the chief minister, there were 15,000 cases of dengue in 2015, but in 2018, it was 2,700. The AAP government will try to bring down this number further this year, he said.

Kejriwal stressed on the importance of prevention and awareness to control the spread of vector borne diseases during the rainy season and immediately after it. “The sharp decline in the Dengue and Chikungunya cases in Delhi is a result of the joint efforts of the Delhi Government and people of the national Capital. The Government has carried extensive awareness campaigns for the prevention of these diseases by involving the ‘Resident Welfare Associations’ and school students as awareness ambassadors,” he said.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, “The monitoring of the work of prevention and awareness of the vector borne diseases is very important. “Awareness material on the measures to be taken for prevention, dos and don’ts must reach everyone so that every resident is aware of the preventive steps,” he said.

Jain directed officials to monitor the situation effectively in order to reduce the cases. “Our response should be very quick. I request all the MCDs to do their best and have a very good monitoring team to keep a regular check on the on-ground team and feedback for any further steps to be taken,” he said.

He directed the officials of the health department to implement the time-table for the preparedness for hospitals to tackle the situation as and when it would arise.

A detailed presentation was made before the Chief Minister by state programme officer for the ‘National vector Disease Control Programme’ Dr S M Raheja.

A senior Government official said that the ongoing work for the prevention of vector borne diseases includes components like vector surveillance and integrated vector management, disease surveillance and legal enforcement.  “All the activities related to management and surveillance of vector borne diseases is being carried out by five local bodies in their respective jurisdiction.” he said.

The official further said that public health department of South Delhi Municipal Corporation is the nodal agency for reporting of all vector borne diseases.

Legal notices and challans are being issued by the three Municipal Corporations as per provisions under the Delhi Municipal Corporation bye-laws, 1975 Act. As per provisions under Sec 2(9) of DMC act Dengue has been declared as dangerous disease. MCD can also issue necessary order to levy administrative charges from the house owners, building owners etc.