Malaria screening at all Games sites

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is collecting blood samples of labourers working at Commonwealth Games sites to screen them for malaria.

‘‘We have collected blood samples of over 23,000 labourers who are being brought in from states where Malaria is highly prevalent. The construction site is already a good breeding ground for mosquitoes and there is a possibility of the disease spreading,’’ said an MCD health officer.

MCD officials said that all labourers has to give a blood sample at the Malaria surveillance post clinic set up at the Games village near Akshar Dham temple before being allowed to join work.

‘‘They have to give their address and blood sample before joining work so that we can screen them for presence of any Malaria parasite. The test results are provided within 24 hours and if anyone tests positive for the disease, he/she is barred from working’’ he said.

Screening of labourers for Malaria was initiated in 2008. Two labourers till date have
tested positive. The inspectors have collected nearly 30,000 blood samples in the past two years.

Though the construction work is nearing completion, officials said that the clinic will continue till the Games is over. The Commonwealth Games are scheduled here between October 3-14.