Vibha Tiwari, a native of Uttar Pradesh who resided in Khadpabandh, Ponda, passed away last week due to suspected dengue fever while undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College (GMC). She initially received care at the Ponda sub-district hospital, but her condition deteriorated, leading to her referral to GMC.
Health Official Statement
Rupa Naik, Director of Health Services, stated that Tiwari had underlying co-morbidities. Confirmatory test results are still awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Councillors' Concerns
A group of councillors from the Ponda Municipal Council visited the health officer on Wednesday to request intensified awareness campaigns regarding dengue. They pledged their assistance in these efforts. Shaunak Borkar, councillor for Khadpabandh, reported that his ward alone has recorded six suspected dengue cases, with two patients having recovered. “There are likely more cases here. We want the health department to intensify measures as people are worried after Vibha Tiwari’s death,” Borkar emphasized.
Preventive Actions
As a preventive measure, councillors and social workers have been conducting fogging operations across the town to curb the breeding of dengue mosquitoes. Borkar stressed the need for health officials to identify and eliminate breeding sources. Activist Viraj Sapre mentioned that he has written to the government requesting the cleaning of nullahs in Ponda, which contain stagnant water that facilitates mosquito breeding.
The incident has heightened public concern, prompting local leaders to call for immediate and sustained action to prevent further dengue cases.
