Govt should involve pvt sector in health awareness campaigns: Godrej

Mumbai, Oct 14 (UNI) Godrej Group chairman Adi Godrej today said the government should involve the private sector in promoting health awareness programmes.

It is unfortunate that the government and civic bodies have always shied away from involving the private sector in such programmes, Mr Godrej rued while addressing a press conference to announce an ''Anti-Dengue and Anti-Chickungunia'' drive by Godrej Sara Lee.

Mr Godrej opined that the government should waive off taxes on public health products to make them available for the masses.

Godrej Sara Lee managing director A Mahendran, while pointing out that fogging operations undertaken by civic bodies to drive away mosquitoes are effective only for a short duration, said the civic administration needs to change its mindset and involve the private sector for a long-term solution through proper allocation of funds.

Under the ''Anti-Dengue and Anti-Chickun Gunia'' drive in Kerala and Delhi, Godrej Sara Lee wil distribute 35,000 mosquito coils, two lakh mats and lotions free to the people living below the poverty line.

The company will rope in non-governmental organisations for the task which would be a three-month project, Mr Godrej said.

He pooh-poohed apprehensions that mosquito repellants are harmful, saying that the repellants, mats, and lotions had been successfully tested and do not have any side effects on mammals or humans.

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