#ChooMacchar
A Public Health Campaign by Civis to address vector-borne diseases in Mumbai.
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Supported by Godrej Consumer Products Limited
What is the #ChooMacchar campaign
The prevalence of vector-borne diseases in Mumbai typically impacts those living in low income settlements or bastis in higher numbers, given poor sanitation and close living quarters. Civic authorities are keen to tackle this problem, however a lack of reliable information on breeding spots as well as limited awareness about mosquito breeding and how to prevent such breeding impacts disease control efforts.
#ChooMacchar is a public health campaign by Civic Innovation Foundation, supported by Godrej Consumer Products Limited. The programme aims to demonstrate how civic action among youth can lead to the prevention of vector-borne diseases in Mumbai.
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Scroll down to learn more about #ChooMacchar.
This program augments national efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as by the Government of Maharashtra and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to prevent and control the spread of vector-borne diseases.
This initiative hopes to bridge the gap between governments and citizens through data.
#Mumbai Against Dengue App
The Mumbai Against Dengue App, created by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is meant to equip citizens with the know-how of keeping their own homes mosquito-free. The app has an easy-to-follow quiz of 18 potential mosquito hotspots in and around the house, which the user can check in real time, along with tips to mosquito-proof these hotspots as well as contact details of ward-level pest control offices. As the app provides a wealth of information in a gamified manner, it is a useful tool for citizen awareness and education.
Campaign efforts in Phase 3 were, therefore, also directed towards promoting this app in Mumbai. This was done through strategic advertisements on Instagram and Facebook. The content of these ads was created in English as well as Marathi, the popular regional language in Mumbai, in an attempt to reach out to the local citizen groups. The ads redirected citizens to this landing page, where the number of App downloads could be tracked and the efficacy of social media strategies could be quantified.
Congratulations to Civis for having successfully completed the pilot project for creating awareness about vector borne diseases to bring a sea change in the community as far as vector breeding locations are concerned.
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The involvement of the student community to create awareness in citizens is appreciated as not only do they spread awareness about management of breeding spots in indoor and outdoor situations but they also imbibe the same in their homes effectively.
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I am sure that in due course of time Civiswill rope in more students in this program and will contribute to better vector management thereby reducing the disease burden in society.
Rajan A. Naringrekar
Insecticide Officer, BMC
