Vishnu Gavali, 48, a social activist has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court seeking that dengue, which has claimed several lives in the state, be declared an epidemic. The court will hear the PIL on November 17.
Gavali has prayed that the government and the authorities concerned be directed to take adequate measures to prevent dengue and malaria spreading.
The PIL states that in the last five months several deaths have taken place due to dengue and malaria, creating an epidemic like situation. It alleges that these deaths had occurred as there was lapse in government providing adequate medical facilities.
It says the state health department had failed totally in stopping or preventing the situation, and prays that authorities concerned be directed to take preventive steps immediately.
"The state government, all government and semi-government hospitals as well as the director of health should not play with the life of the common man, and no one should die because s/he did not get adequate medical and health care facilities," says the PIL.
It also alleges that as the medical facilities provided by the government is inadequate, patients often have to approach private hospitals, which charge high fees. A lot of people in rural and even urban areas cannot afford the cost of private hospitals and as a result they suffer.
The government and the municipal bodies concerned have failed to clear debris and garbage which has resulted in water accumulating in urban and rural areas. Even ponds have not been cleaned and they have become mosquito breeding spots, alleges the PIL.
It further states that the health department has taken a stand that it would help only if local bodies approach them. Moreover, the government has failed miserably in creating awareness about the diseases and the need to keep the environment clean, it states.
Praying that note be taken of the epidemic like situation, the petitioner says that medical facilities must be declared as essential and must be provided to all those suffering from dengue. The PIL also wants clean up drive undertaken on a war footing, and has prayed that preventive measures be taken at all times and for ever.
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