Perfect Health Mela 2006 begins on Oct 10

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Exhorting Delhi citizens to join hands with the government in fighting dengue in the city, Delhi Finance Minister Dr A K Walia today said public participation was a must to check its spread which had claimed several lives and was threatening to become a menace.

Addressing a media gathering to discuss the forthcoming 'Perfect Health Mela', Dr Walia said Resident Welfare Associations, the youth and students must join in the campaign to create awareness in containing the spread of the 'aedes' mosquito which spread the virus.

Accepting that lack of cleanliness, which was not being affected properly by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, was also causing the spread of dengue, he said responsibility has to be fixed if we are sincere in what we say and act.

''Action needs to be taken against those who do not work.'' However, we are taking action whenever something comes to our notice, he added.

On the coming 'Mela', Dr Walia said the biggest benefit about the 'Health Mela' is that all systems of medicines were available at a single place -- whether allopathic, homeopathic, ayurvedic, naturopathy or any other.

Dr K K Agarwal, president Health Care Foundation of India (HCFI), said the special thing about the 13th 'Perfect Health Mela' would be -- for the first time ever -- focus on the financial health of a person as well, besides physical, mental and spiritual dimension.

''Through the mela we want to target one percent of those who matter so that the 'message' was spread and people become conscious about their health and help in the overall development of their families and subsequently the nation.'' The October 10-16 'mela', being held at Sheikh Sarai MCD Park -- first time in South Delhi -- will have 350 stalls and specialist doctors of all hues. Its aim will be that every individual ''take a health message'', Dr Agarwal added.

The 7-day event, which was being organised by the HCFI and MCD jointly along with other government departments, will offer free medical tests, consultancy and expert opinion to visitors and expects over five lakh people.

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