Public support vital to control dengue mosquitoes

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that dengue mosquitoes cannot be controlled by appointing only a task force or using chemicals. The support of social service organisations, the public and schoolchildren are vital to destroy dengue breeding grounds.

Minister Sirisena will launch the `Dengue Control Week’ tomorrow.

The Health Ministry recently allocated Rs. 300 million for the National Dengue Eradication program and strengthened the `Mosquito Breeding Control Act’ to empower the authorities to take stringent action against householders who fail to clear dengue breeding grounds in their compounds.

Minister Sirisena told the Sunday Observer that Provincial health officials and local authorities with the assistance of the Securities Forces will visit all households in the country to monitor dengue control programs being carried out during the Dengue Mosquito Control Week.

All households will be issued special cards after properties, lands and buildings are inspected by officials. He said red notices will be issued to those who fail to clear dengue breeding grounds. Thereafter, legal action will be initiated against them.

According to a senior spokesman for the Health Ministry Epidemiology Unit around 10,000 dengue patients and 46 deaths have been reported from all parts of the country during the first four months of this year.

He said local authorities have also been called upon to implement effective garbage management systems and clear shrubs and water drainage systems during this period and thereafter.

The Health Ministry said that a number of special units to treat dengue patients has been opened at the main hospitals in the country and other hospitals have also been provided adequate medicine to treat dengue patients.