The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has launched a pre-monsoon preventive drive against vector-borne diseases, conducting ground-level inspections to identify and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites ahead of the rainy season.
Officials from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), along with a team of CCP officials, have been visiting vulnerable spots to create awareness and brief local residents about preventive measures.
In ward 4, one of the buildings has frequent dengue cases because water stagnates in a field that falls under the Taleigao panchayat. To address this, a WhatsApp group has been created to coordinate with the panchayat. Mayor Rohit Monserrate stated, “We will take a review every month. The idea is to get everyone on the same page. The health department needs manpower and help in this regard.”
The NVBDCP team, including medical officer Dr Yogesh Palker and senior filaria inspector Mahesh Virnodkar, has been surveying Boca de Vaca and Ribandar over the past week to assess vulnerable sites. The drive focused on surveying localities for conditions that could encourage mosquito breeding, particularly those spreading dengue and malaria, which typically spike during and after the monsoon.
At Ribandar, teams conducted door-to-door inspections and engaged directly with residents, demonstrating practical steps to prevent water stagnation, the primary breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito that transmits dengue. Residents were shown how to clear clogged gutters and empty unused containers that accumulate standing water.
A parallel inspection at Boca de Vaca, led by the senior filaria inspector and the NVBDCP team from the urban health centre, assessed local sanitation conditions and identified areas requiring focused and sustained intervention. The visit also included discussions on strengthening coordination between the corporation and health officials, reinforcing regular maintenance of drainage infrastructure, and ensuring consistent cleanliness standards across the ward.
Mayor Monserrate emphasized that these drives reflect the corporation’s commitment to tackling health risks before they escalate. “This survey is essential in curbing the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria,” he said.
