Kerala is leading in the field of health care. Similarly, the state ranks first in the country in terms of infectious diseases as well. Needless to say, this is not a position to be proud of at all. Malayalis are far ahead of other states in terms of personal hygiene. Still, various types of epidemics frequently haunt Keralites. The state goes through more than one epidemic every monsoon season.

The number of people seeking treatment for fever during this monsoon season is staggering. According to the Health Department, around twenty-five lakh people have sought treatment for fever. Another concern is the prevalence of dengue fever, which used to be rare. According to official figures, 11,804 people had to seek treatment for dengue fever till last July across the state. This does not include those who sought treatment for dengue in clinics and small health centres. This is only the officially recorded figure. The number of people who have contracted dengue and received treatment so far this year is three to four times that of the previous year. The fact that Kerala has reported the highest number of dengue cases in the country is not a matter of pride for our health department.

Dengue is caused by a mosquito that lays eggs in fresh water. Stagnant water in the courtyards during the rainy season provides an opportunity for these mosquitoes to breed. The deadly Aedes mosquito is said to thrive in even two drops of water. Garbage in public places and house grounds can become waterlogged and breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Households may be able to eliminate standing water at home, but do local bodies try to avoid such situations in public spaces?

The failure of our local bodies in the matter of waste disposal is the reason why all kinds of epidemics continue to spread in the state. For them, this subject is only a mere formality. Not even a properly devised plan has been formulated or implemented in this regard so far. A scheme called pre-monsoon cleaning used to be implemented earlier but this year that also did not happen. This negligence is also a reason for the spread of contagious fever, dengue and rat fever.

People who travel regularly for various purposes know that no place in the state is free from the mosquito menace. Kochi city is notorious for mosquitoes. The capital city is not far behind. Other than avoiding standing water, there are very few practical ways to deal with mosquitoes. This is possible only if the local bodies put their mind to it. The use of repellent drugs for mosquito control is now rare and so is fogging. This is done only when there are widespread complaints about mosquito infestation. This is a glaring example of the complete irresponsibility of local bodies in matters of health and safety.