Health

In September this year, one person died due to dengue in Bengaluru. It was the first dengue death in three years in the city. Till date, the city has seen over 5,000 cases of dengue and seven deaths due to the dengue virus or dengue-related complications and accounts for over 50% of all cases in Karnataka. Several public and private hospitals reported that the surge in cases has filled up dengue wards. Read more: Dengue in Bengaluru: The situation so far Meanwhile, health officials from BBMP and the state government claim that they have taken many steps to tackle this…

The increasing instances of student suicides in Chennai have brought the need to discuss mental health of students, especially teenagers, to the fore. Given that the environment at home and at school has a major role to play in the mental health of students, a closer examination of what transpires in these spaces is essential. Saranya A, the founder of Arukah Counselling Service, speaks to Citizen Matters on the factors that affect the mental health of students and what can be done to create safe spaces for them. Saranya A, Counselling Psychologist Saranya holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology…

Bengaluru grapples with a dengue crisis yet again and it is worth asking why. What about the city makes it ripe for a dengue epidemic? Dengue is a tropical disease caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. Most dengue transmissions are caused by one mosquito species, Aedes aegypti. This species also transmits Chikungunya, Zika, and Yellow fever. Aedes breeding behaviour Dengue mosquitoes are large, slow fliers and have distinctive white markings on their legs, making them easy to spot. As with most mosquito species, only the females bite and drink blood, usually just before…

Bengaluru has a dengue problem. According to BBMP data, the city has recorded over 4,000 cases since June this year, making it one of the hotspots in the country. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans by females of the mosquito species Aedes aegypti. It is a predominantly tropical disease that affects over 5 million people in the world. Symptoms According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people infected with the dengue virus are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms. For the rest, symptoms usually begin 4–10 days after infection and last for 2–7 days. Symptoms may include high…

During the Covid-19 pandemic, global healthcare systems went through a massive shock. In India, Mumbai was one of the worst affected cities with innumerable cases and deaths. The pandemic was an opportunity for the government to pause and look at the healthcare facilities in the city. Any disease that is diagnosed and treated in early stages has less chance of turning severe or fatal. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognises primary health care as the centre for achieving health and well-being for all, at all ages.  Through the scheme of Aapla Dawakhana, the state government has tried to make…

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's health budget was Rs 6309.38 for the year 2022-23. Mumbai is home to 1.2 crore people. Moreover, its healthcare is accessed by Mumbaikars and a huge number of people coming from outside. Mumbai has 16 municipal general hospitals, six speciality hospitals, 29 maternity homes, 175 municipal dispensaries and 183 health posts. Besides this, the state government has established one medical college hospital, three general hospitals and two health units located in Mumbai. Citizen Matters spoke to the recently appointed additional municipal commissioner, Dr. Sudhakar Shinde, about the state of public health facilities, monsoon challenges and future…

Savitha, a resident of Thirumangalam, travels to Guindy every day by Chennai metro. Last December, when Savitha was walking out of the Thirumangalam metro station, she found the floor of the station wet due to the rain. She slipped and fell, and sustained minor injuries as a result. "I did not know if there were any first aid facilities available at the station. Besides, there were no staff at the place where I fell. So, I walked out of the station and went to the nearby medical shop to get some first aid," she says. Similar instances have also been…

Historically, Mumbai developed, progressed and got urbanised from the southern to the northern regions. This evolution encompassed the establishment of essential institutions such as schools, hospitals, government offices, and soon. However, as the cost of living in the southern parts or SOBO (south Bombay) escalated over the years, population settled in northern suburbs, commuting to work in the south. While this demographic shift might signify growth, it also highlights a challenge: the disparity between basic infrastructure availability and the overall well-being of citizens residing in these areas. As the urban population expanded northward, the existing amenities such as hospitals, did…

It’s been more than two years since Vimal Gorakhnath Shinde retired, after working for over 30 years as a community health worker (CHW) with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). After spending a lifetime doing this work for the civic body, she did not anticipate that she would have to fight to be recognised as an employee and wait endlessly for a pension. She is one of 3700 health workers, who have been demanding to be recognised as employees, so that they get basic benefits such as pension. Vimal's eyes well up as she talks about her journey. Starting at 9.30…

The Mumbai Traffic Police declared the 9th and 16th of August this month as 'No Honking Day.' In a metropolis like Mumbai, where people spend hours in traffic, honking has become a habit that refuses to go. Not only is honking ineffective to navigate the traffic, it is also a major contributor for noise pollution on Mumbai roads. According to WHO, noise levels above 65 DB are classified as noise pollution. Worst affected junctions  Some of the worst affected areas in Mumbai are Sakinaka junction, Md. Rafi Chowk, Bandra West, Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk or Churchgate Junction, Vatsalabai Desai Chowk or Haji…