Intensifying its awareness activities regarding dengue prevention and treatment, the Mohali health department conducted a rally in the main markets in Mohali today. Acting Civil surgeon Dr. Renu Singh led the rally from Phase 3B1 dispensary to Phase 7 market. Health workers were holding placards and banners and raising slogans about dengue prevention during the rally, which was part of 'Har Shukarwar, Dengue Te War" drive.
Dr Renu Singh said the purpose of the rally was to educate the shopkeepers and other people coming to markets about dengue and other vector-borne diseases so that they can take remedial measures on time and thus save their lives. She appealed to the people to observe every Friday as a dry day and solicited their cooperation to make the district dengue-free.
She said it was the duty of the health department to sensitize the people about the symptoms, testing, prevention and treatment of the disease as awareness can help prevent and fight this disease more easily. The Civil Surgeon said that the department has been carrying out information, education and communication (IEC) activities in the district for the last many weeks and asking the people to save themselves from dengue.
She said that dengue is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquito which usually targets during the day time. She added that Aedes mosquito breeds in desert coolers, water storage containers, tires, overhead tanks and other places where water collects.
She appealed to the people that all the water storage containers should be kept covered, besides old tires, broken pots, and crockery should be removed. Senior Medical Officer Dr HS Cheema, Dr. Vijay Bhagat, District Epidemiologist Dr. Harmandeep Kaur, Dr. Anil Vashisht, health supervisors, health workers, breeder checkers and students of nursing colleges participated in the rally.