Nation-wide campaign launched to tackle mosquito borne diseases

Ministry of Health and Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched a nation-wide campaign to tackle spread of mosquito borne diseases in Maldives.

Speaking during the launching ceremony held at Ministry of Health this Monday, State Minister for Health and Head of HPA, Mohamed Zuhair said the main purpose of the campaign was to raise public awareness on mosquito borne diseases and control the spread of mosquito borne diseases.

“Statistics collected over the past three years show an increase in dengue cases. Approximately 1,300 people have tested positive for dengue so far this year,” said Zuhair.

He also expressed concern over the high number of chikungunya cases reported this year. 421 cases of chikungunya were reported in Maldives from January to March.

The last chikungunya outbreak took place in Maldives in 2006.

State Minister Zuhair stressed the need to clean backyards, balconies, and public spaces of items such as tin cans, buckets, discarded tires and other artificial containers that hold stagnant water in order to destroy mosquito breeding sites and control the spread of mosquito borne diseases.

The nation-wide campaign will be held throughout April.

Program Manager of HPA, Sana Saleem briefed the press regarding the activities planned for the campaign.

Activities directed at raising awareness includes information sessions to school students and parents, and a special quiz competition.

Sana reports authorities will also be utilizing social media platforms to release information on mosquito borne diseases and publish weekly dengue and chikungunya statistics.

“We will also hold a dengue high-level advocacy forum. The forum will be held on April 25. Consultants from the WHO will take part in the forum,” said Sana.