‘Mosquito La Takkar’ Campaign Launched in Thane on Republic Day to Fight Vector-Borne Diseases
Mass Awareness Chariot Drive Rolled Out to Curb Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya
On the auspicious occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, the Thane District Health Department formally launched a special preventive campaign titled ‘Mosquito La Takkar’, aimed at combating mosquito-borne diseases through large-scale public awareness.
The campaign is being implemented jointly by the District Malaria Office, Thane and Godrej Embed – FHI, with a strong focus on community participation and preventive healthcare.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the District Police Commissionerate Ground in the presence of Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister of Thane District, marking a symbolic and impactful start to the initiative.
Senior Officials Lead the Initiative
The launch event witnessed the presence of District Collector Dr. Shrikrishna Panchal, Resident Deputy Collector Dr. Sandeep Mane, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Ranjit Yadav, Joint Director of Health Services Dr. Sandeep Sangale, Deputy Director Dr. Ashok Nandapurkar, and Assistant Director Dr. Manish Renghe.
Under the guidance of District Health Officer Dr. Gangadhar Parge, the campaign was formally flagged off by District Malaria Officer Dr. Santoshi Shinde, who emphasized the need for sustained awareness to prevent seasonal outbreaks.
Four Awareness Chariots to Cover Entire Thane City
As part of the campaign, four specially designed awareness chariots were inaugurated. These mobile units will traverse across Thane city, educating citizens about malaria, dengue, and chikungunya—diseases that continue to pose a serious public health challenge in urban areas.
According to official data, Thane district reported 2,073 malaria cases, 1,093 dengue cases, and 168 chikungunya cases last year. Health authorities stressed that preventive measures are critical to reversing this trend.
Through visual displays and public announcements, the chariots will disseminate information on:
- Preventing mosquito breeding
- Maintaining household and neighbourhood cleanliness
- Managing stagnant water
- Adopting personal protective measures
Health officials expressed confidence that this outreach-driven approach would significantly help reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases.
Mass Drug Administration for Elephantiasis Announced
During the same programme, it was announced that a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for elimination of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) will be conducted in Bhiwandi taluka from February 10 to February 23, 2026.
Dr. Santoshi Shinde stated that health teams would conduct door-to-door outreach to ensure that all eligible citizens consume anti-filarial medication, a crucial step towards eliminating the disease.