The Delhi government has decided to launch a 'dengue awareness programme' from tomorrow in association with Delhi Medical Association (DMA) to check the spread of the disease of which at least 50 cases have been reported in the national capital this season.
A senior government official said the initiative will begin in 200 schools tomorrow during which doctors will make students and teachers aware on how to prevent the spread of the vector-borne disease.
"Health and Education departments have tied up with the DMA to ensure that at least one doctor is present in every school mentioned in the first list of 200 schools on Wednesday.
"At a meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain, the DMA delegation led by its president Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta made a presentation about the awareness programme to be conducted in government and private schools," the official said.
The programme is scheduled to continue till October. It will begin with awareness for prevention of mosquito bites which will include encouraging students to persuade their parents and neighbours not to allow accumulation of water at homes and around for at least once a week.
As per the plan, students will also be told to cover three houses near their residences for persuading people not to allow any water accumulation point- either from washing of cars or water dripping from coolers and air conditioners.
Twenty two of the 50 cases of dengue in the national capital have been reported this month, according to a municipal report.
Last year, the city saw a staggering 15,867 dengue cases, the worst in 20 years with the disease claiming 60 lives, as per the report.
