In a city, a surge in vector-borne diseases coincides with increased garbage accumulation due to an ongoing strike by sanitation…

Question

In a city, a surge in vector-borne diseases coincides with increased garbage accumulation due to an ongoing strike by sanitation workers. The municipal corporation faces public criticism and rising patient admissions.

As the Municipal Health Officer, what should be your priority action?

1. A. Publicly blame sanitation workers to pressure them to end the strike.
2. B. Coordinate emergency waste disposal with private contractors while negotiating with workers. (Correct answer)
3. C. Deploy health camps only, ignoring sanitation until the strike ends.
4. D. Wait for municipal leadership to resolve the strike before taking any action.

Correct Answer

Option B — Coordinate emergency waste disposal with private contractors while negotiating with workers.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Coordinate emergency waste disposal with private contractors while negotiating with workers..

Key Points

• This is a public health emergency: admissions are rising and the vector source is the uncleared waste.
• The health hazard cannot wait for the labour dispute to be settled, so emergency disposal is arranged through alternative capacity.
• Negotiation with the workers continues in parallel, which addresses the underlying cause rather than only the symptom.

Additional Information

• Option A (publicly blaming workers) hardens the strike and delays the clean-up.
• Option C treats patients while leaving the breeding sites intact — the epidemic would continue.
• Option D is inaction during a live outbreak.
• Vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria are controlled principally by source reduction — removing the standing water and refuse in which vectors breed.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*