Ministry of Health and Health Protection Agency (HPA) has launched a month long campaign focusing on vector control measure. The campaign is launched as part of the efforts to increase awareness among public on mosquito-borne diseases.
As part of the campaign, several information sessions will be held for students and parents along with a special quiz planned to be held for parents. Additionally, an integrated pest management conference is planned to be held in resorts in corporation with Ministry of Tourism. Under the campaign, information sessions will be held for expatriates and for residents in the outlying islands as well, according to Ministry of Health.
The health ministry added among other activities planned with stakeholders, a dengue high level advocacy forum in corporation with consultants of World Health Organisation (WHO). Speaking to media regarding the campaign, Minister of State for Health Mohamed Zuhair stated individual responsibilities and efforts are crucial in fight against vector-borne diseases. Health ministry revealed major efforts will be exerted on prevention and control of Dengue and Chikungunya in collaboration with key relevant stakeholders.
According to statistics of past three years, patients diagnosed with dengue have increased. In this regard, so far this year 1,303 patients have been reported with dengue, including 909 patients diagnosed with dengue from atolls and 394 patients from the capital, Male' City.