Helpline on dengue, malaria

The IMA has announced that it will set up a telephonic helpline in Delhi to provide emergency guidance and information on preventive and curative measures for malaria and dengue. "Collective action of the government, corporates and NGOs is the need of the hour for fighting spread of these diseases," IMA honorary general secretary Prem Aggarwal said here today.

Considering the imperative for collective action, the conference on grassroot control of dengue’ organised here had called for a coordinated effort of various ministries in matters of hygiene and health. It was not proper to blame the health ministry alone whenever epidemics break out as there were umpteen factors such as uncontrolled urbanisation, industrialisation and growth in population which caused epidemics, he said.

"Despite undertaking various programmes to eradicate malaria and dengue, the government failed in accomplishing its avowed objective due to lack of concerted efforts," he said.

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