RMC combats vector-borne diseases with new initiatives

Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has launched an intensive fogging and sanitation drive across the city to combat vector-borne diseases.

A fleet of nine cold fogging machines and three thermal units have been deployed and two knapsack sprayers have been allocated to every ward for spraying larvicides. In a strategic move, the corporation has identified and prioritised ‘sentinel wards’, areas that historically report the earliest and highest volume of cases.

RMC public health officer, Dr Kiran Kumari, said that a comprehensive monthly roster for spraying larvicide and cold fogging is being prepared. The schedule will be uploaded to the RMC website, allowing residents to track when their respective localities will be covered by the drive.

She said, “Citizens can dial the toll-free number 1800-570-1235 to register complaints if the schedule is not maintained or to request fogging in specific areas.”

The civic body is also utilising chemical granules in open drains, designed to dissolve and spread throughout the drainage lines to eliminate larvae.

A definitive action plan is expected to be finalised within the coming week.

This year, RMC will introduce indoor fogging capabilities and the focus will extend to abandoned and public buildings. “Until now, our mandate was limited to open areas. We are currently procuring a specialised chemical effective for closed spaces. The tender will be closed within a week,” Dr Kumari added.

Dr Birendra Kumar Singh, state programme officer for vector-borne diseases, said that while 25 dengue cases were recorded in Jharkhand over the last quarter, all involved carriers from outside the state rather than local transmissions.

He said that a formal advisory has been issued to all districts to initiate precautionary measures and verify the origins of any reported infections. To streamline efforts, municipal corporations will collaborate closely with the health department to prevent any overlap in preventive activities. Sahiyas (Asha workers) and health officials have been briefed on the protocol, with Dr Singh noting that while 98% of patients recover at home, health workers are instructed to ensure the remaining 2% who develop complications are hospitalised immediately.