Gujaratstartups, SURAT: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has decided to give rapid diagnostic kits to 32 health centres in the city spot analysis of blood samples in view of large number of cases of fever and other illnesses during monsoon. The blood serum samples could be checked within five minutes which will allow immediate treatment of the patients.

It has also decided to restart intra domestic residual spray which will destroy breeding of mosquitoes in about 10 lakh houses in the city, which has witnessed over 5,000 fever cases in July. Over 1,600 malaria cases are witnessed on an average per week during the monsoon months. A majority of these are simple vivex bite cases which cause malaria. Falciparum malaria cases, which are more dangerous, are not there in high numbers though there exist in large numbers the mosquito breeding centres in some colonies and construction sites. A drive to destroy breeding centres from 1,200 schools and construction sites has been launched.

SMC gets reports of diseases from its eight hospitals, 32 health centres, 62 private hospitals and about 346 private clinics.

"We have identified the problem areas in the city. The intra domestic residual spray in the houses has begun to destroy the breeding of various types of mosquitoes," said Dr Hemant Desai, chief medical officer, SMC. He also said we have opened up fever clinics at 18 centres which will function from 5 to 7 pm daily.

"A survey will also be undertaken in critical areas once a week instead of 15 days," said S Aparna, municipal commissioner. She said, "This is a normal phenomenon. Every year, there is a rise in fever cases during monsoon and we are on alert to combat them."

Source: Times Of India