An affair to remember...

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mumbai''s long-standing relationship with malaria has been fostered by man as well as mosquito, say experts</span><br /><br />This is one relationship that hasn''t shown any signs of estrangement. Remarkable indeed, in a city marked by fragile associations. Meet this <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">mazboot jodi</span> number one — between the malarial parasite and the average Mumbaiite.According to the health department, this relationship has been sustained by Mumbai''s residents. <br /><br /></div> <div align="right" style="position:relative; left: -3"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="right" border="1" width="43.2%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal" style="" text-align:="" center=""><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Did you know?</span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">The Malaria Control Programme has been changed four times. Presenting the avatars.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">* National Malaria Eradication Program</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">* Malaria Action Plan</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">* National Anti Malaria Program</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">* Enhanced Malaria Control Program</span></div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">"In Mumbai, malaria is man-made," says Dr R M Kathuria, executive health officer Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). "If each of us do our bit, the problem can be effectively tackled. This is not necessarily the health department''s responsibility alone." <br /><br />In an effort to increase awareness and spread responsibility, he has organised a workshop on malaria for people from other departments of the BMC, informing them about the role each can play in tackling the menace. <br /><br />The urban setting is the ideal breeding ground for malarial parasites. Empty bottles, broken utensils, tyres, flower pots, roof gutters, fountains, air conditioners, basement of buildings, overhead swimming pools, potholes (is the BMC listening?) and construction sites foster the growth of mosquitoes. "In 2002-03, there were as many 2,100 construction sites in Mumbai. This year, there are as many as 2,800," says Dr Kathuria. "Mosquitoes are bred while curing the cement. Since most of the workers come from places where malaria is rampant, once they are bitten the disease spreads rapidly." <br /><br />Another area of concern are the overhead and underground tanks. "A gap of only 1.5 mm is sufficient for mosquitoes to enter and breed," he says. "The abandoned tanks shouldn''t be kept lying around." <br /><br />As for the contribution of the BMC, he claims, "We have around 70 fogging machines that make the rounds of the city. But, to control the problem of malaria, it has to be a concerted effort on the part of every individual."<br /><br />However, for a common man on the road, the BMC should at least keep their share of the bargain. "Students of third standard died of cerebral malaria because of the puddles of water and illegal occupation outside a South Mumbai school," says a noted microbiologist.<br /><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script></div> </div>