------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- Malaria hits Candolim ---------------------- Xavier Fenandes is an unhappy citizen. Recently, he lost his father-in-law and his wife is ill since the last one and a half months. Both have fallen victim to malaria. While Xavier's father-in-law's (who also had prostate cancer) condition deteriorated due to malaria, which led to his demise, his wife's condition is now stable.
Xavier is worried that due to the increasing, uncontrolled construction activity, overflowing garbage and stagnant water due to poor drainage system in the area, malaria has returned with a vengeance, affecting several people in this popular tourist belt. He is not alone. There are many like him in Candolim who have fallen ill due to the increasing menace of mosquitoes. Maria Fernandes from Pintos Vaddo reveals that almost all her relatives are down with malaria. Even her neighbours are not spared. "My husband was the most affected and he was admitted to a private clinic" she reveals. Interestingly, a doctor at Candolim PHC on condition of anonymity accepted that the number of malaria cases have increased this season. What is really shocking is that despite several complaints to the Panchayat, authorities have failed to take any action. Residents reveal that whenever they lodge a complaint with the health department, men are sent to fumigate the place. "Then the menace is reduced but within a week again the problem aggravates as there is no check at the construction site and on the labourers at the site who dirty the place", added Maria Fernandes. However, Xavier had a different story to tell. According to him, unlike every year, this year the Health Department failed to send its personnel to fumigate the place. Surprising, especially since Candolim attracts several foreigners! Another resident from Murrod waddo says that the garbage accumulated near Nerul, Candolim is stinking and also a perfect breeding ground for the mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the stink has yet to reach the panchayat and that's the reason they are not acting! However, Rashika Kandolkar, deputy sarpanch, Candolim argued, "We agree that there are malaria cases in Candolim. But the matter is not so serious. At least we don't know about it because nobody has made any complaints so far". -------------------------- GT Weekender 27/8/06 ------------------------- ====================================== GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ====================================== _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
