New Delhi: The Sanitation Unit, Office of the Registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in collaboration with Public Health Department, Central Zone, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today organized a sensitization programme on ‘Prevention and Control of Vector Borne Diseases’ at the Faculty of Engineering Auditorium of the university. The event was attended by Dr. Parul Jain, Entomologist, Public Health Department Central Zone, MCD and Dr. Nageshwar Rao, Deputy Health Officer, Public Health Department Central Zone, MCD. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, JMI, Prof. Mazhar Asif was the Chief Guest along with Registrar, JMI, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi who was the Guest of Honour at the function

Dr. Jain gave a detailed overview on 'entomological presentation ' and the challenge posed by vector borne diseases (VBD). She presented data on the number of VBD cases of malaria, dengue and chikungunya notified in the Central zone of Delhi. Dr Jain focused on the modus operandi of the Public Health Department in disease surveillance, vector surveillance, integrated vector control and capacity building for the prevention and control of vector borne diseases. Her presentation was especially useful as it illustrated pictures and diagrams of mosquito breeding and how best to prevent their spread in the community and neighbourhood.

Dr Rao, Deputy Health Officer, Public Health Department Central Zone, MCD lauded the role of JMI in organizing such an important sensitization program and said he was optimistic that, “This program will have a tremendous impact on raising awareness about vector borne diseases, especially dengue. Delhi registered the maximum number of dengue cases last year. Hopefully, the figures will be reversed this year, and the city will witness the least number of cases due to our concerted efforts.”

Prof. Asif thanked the MCD and its dedicated officers for giving such detailed and comprehensive information about the VBDs and the types of mosquitoes that cause it. He said, "Breeding of mosquitoes is the biggest cause of these diseases and therefore, our first responsibility is to address the issue of controlling their breeding by following the protocols illustrated by the MCD officers." He drew attention to the hardwork and sheer labour put in by the safai karamcharis of JMI and the need to clean the university. Prof. Asif added, “ At the same time we need to keep our mind and hearts clean, as a clean mind will help us remain sensitive to our surroundings.” Prof. Asif entrusted students with the responsibility of not allowing anyone to litter in their proximity and keeping their surroundings clean, ending his speech with the phrase, ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness."

Prof Rizvi said that the program is an outcome of the joint efforts of JMI, the Health Ministry and MCD. He said, “It is imperative and critical that we deliberate on how to prevent VBDs which kill millions every year. Our younger generations must play a more active role in this which is why we have involved Jamia school students in today’s event to raise their awareness. We are also soliciting support from the RWAs in the JMI neighborhood so that the whole area takes joint steps to control the spread of malaria, dengue and chikungunya.” Prof. Rizvi added, “Charity begins at home and must be our guiding motto so that we make a habit of keeping our houses, campus and surroundings clean.”

Prof. Nimit Ranjan Chowdhary, HoD Tourism and Hospitality Management and Nodal Officer for monitoring preventive measures and control of VBDs on JMI campus, welcomed the guests and extended his heartfelt gratitude to MCD and the university administration for providing all possible support towards making the program a grand success. He was joined by the other two nodal officers of JMI, Dr Md. Faijullah Khan, Associate Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies in Education Mr. Haris ul Haq, Physical Education Teacher, JMI along with Dr. Ayub Khan, Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Syed Razi Naqvi, Sanitary Supervisor and Mr. Syed Mohammad Zafar, Sanitary Supervisor, Sanitation Unit, JMI. Dr Faijullah also extended a vote of thanks in the end.

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