08 October,2026 09:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide inspected the Haji Mohammed Sabu Siddiqui Municipal Maternity Home and a municipal dispensary in Prabhadevi on Thursday. PIC/BMC
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed officials to step up measures to prevent malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the G-South Ward and ensure that more residents benefit from Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and Ayushman Bharat cards.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide issued the directions during her inspection of the Haji Mohammed Sabu Siddiqui Municipal Maternity Home and a municipal dispensary in Prabhadevi on Thursday.
During the inspection, Bhide sought information on the number of malaria and dengue cases reported in the area and directed officials to take effective preventive measures against the diseases.
She also directed officials to undertake awareness activities through Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and health volunteers to ensure that more citizens in the ward benefit from ABHA and Ayushman Bharat cards.
At the Haji Mohammed Sabu Siddiqui Municipal Maternity Home, Bhide inspected the premises and sought information from medical officers and other staff about its functioning. She also verified outpatient and inpatient department records maintained under the Health Management Information System (HMIS).
Bhide directed officials to take necessary action regarding minor repairs required in the maternity home building and the provision of essential equipment.
She subsequently reviewed the healthcare services available at the Prabhadevi municipal dispensary and polyclinic. She took stock of the daily patient footfall, types of patients visiting the facility, available medicine stocks and blood-testing facilities.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Commissioner's Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 2) Prashant Sapkale, G South Assistant Commissioner Swapnaja Kshirsagar, Executive Health Officer Dr Santosh Gaikwad and other officials were present during the inspection.
The focus on dengue and malaria prevention comes despite dengue cases recording a decline in Mumbai during the monsoon. According to BMC data, the city recorded 1,563 dengue cases between June and August 31 this year, compared with 1,972 cases during the corresponding period in 2025. Malaria cases, however, increased from 3,733 in 2025 to 4,485 in 2026.
Earlier BMC data also showed a decline in several monsoon-related illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis, gastroenteritis and Covid-19, between June 1 and September 15 compared with the corresponding period last year.
