Religious ceremony on Wednesday attended by members of medical fraternity

MCD feels havan may help fight dengue

Religious ceremony on Wednesday attended by members of medical fraternity

Even the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) seems to be acknowledging that divine intervention is needed to combat the menace of dengue and swine flu in the Capital. With the civic agency and the health department in the city failing to effectively restrict the diseases, people are resorting to desperate measures.

Sunil Yogacharya and other devotees conducting Havan at Bhartiya
Vidya Bhavan, KG Marg in New Delhi on Thursday. PIC/Rajeev Tyagi

On Wednesday, an organisation called Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organised a havan in order to check the increasing number of dengue and swine flu cases in Delhi ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Incidentally Dr Narender Saini, President of Delhi Medical Association (DMA), was a part of the ceremony. What's interesting is that MCD Standing Committee Chairman Dr Yogesh Chandolia believes steps like these can only help.u00a0

"We have taken all the effective steps that we could take. May be such steps will help in lowering the number," he said.

With that kind of response from the Capital's premier civic agency, it's natural that other parties are pinning their hopes elsewhere.

"The coming days will show a large number of dengue as well as swine flu cases. By this spiritual way we are just trying to contribute from our side," said Sunil Yogacharya of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti.

"Yes, it can definitely help in reducing the numbers. With the fumes in the air, the dirt in the environment will get cleaned up," said Dr Saini, President of DMA.

Generally, the function is held every year between Rakshabandhan and Janmashtmi. But this year, the havan has been conducted twice.

Health Hazard

Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia on Wednesday brushed aside fears of a dengue epidemic during the Commonwealth Games, saying no athlete has been infected by the mosquito-borne viral disease so far. Walia said the authorities concerned are taking every possible measure to protect the athletes.
"Things are improving day-by-day. We are taking care of each and everything, be it health or any other issue. All athletes are living here happily and comfortably," Walia told reporters outside the Athletes Village.
"Our officers have already sprayed anti-larvae insecticides all over the Games Village. About 400 athletes have visited the polyclinic inside the Village and there has been no case of dengue.
"We have a team of medical officers and they are coordinating to deal with any health related issues. We have sufficient number of doctors to treat athletes for any small or big disease. All test can also be conducted at this clinic," she added.