After vector-borne diseases claimed two lives in the city, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Thursday decided to use the second line of malaria drugs for treatment of patients at its clinics.

The decision comes after a recent survey carried out in two wards of the city — 37 and 42 under borough V — found that at least 30 per cent of the patients had developed resistance against the first line of treatment that included the use of chloroquinin. The Artimisinine Combination Therapy will now be made available at clinics run by the civic body, said MmiC (Health) Subodh Dey.

The civic body has also decided to stop presumptive treatment to malaria patients. Earlier, the patients were administered four chloroquinin tablets the moment they came to the civic health centre for treatment or for blood tests.