By Sarah Hannan
The national dengue eradication programme and public awareness campaign was launched last Sunday (18) under the patronage of Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, focusing on the Kuruwita Medical Officer of Health Division in the Ratnapura District.
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Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi distributes leaflets to improve awareness on dengue control in Kuruwita, 18 October 2020.[/caption]
Speaking at the event, Wanniarachchi said the Government will launch an operation to control Covid-19 as well as to eradicate dengue mosquitoes, both of which are having a devastating impact on society.
She pointed out that more lives have been lost in Sri Lanka due to dengue than due to Covid-19. While only 13 deaths were reported due to Covid-19, 34 lives were lost due to dengue this year. The Minister emphasised that people should also support the Government's programme to control dengue mosquitoes by cleaning their premises.
A total of 4,311 dengue patients were reported from the whole island in the second quarter of 2020, with the highest number of dengue patients being reported from the Kandy and Ratnapura Districts, reporting 715 and 668 cases, respectively.
The highest number of dengue patients reported from a Medical Officer of Health Division in the Ratnapura District was from Kuruwita, amounting to 169 patients. Owing to this, the national dengue mosquito control programme was launched from Kuruwita.
According to Epidemiology Unit records, a total of 27,870 dengue patients have been reported in the last few months this year, and due to the prevailing rainy weather, there is a risk of the spread of dengue.
“This is National Mosquito Control Week. We have to pay equal attention in eradicating dengue and controlling the spread of Covid-19 at this time. This year we have recorded the lowest number of dengue patients in the last 10 years. In 2018, about 51,000 dengue patients were reported. In 2019, 105,049 dengue patients were reported, with 158 deaths. This year, only 34 deaths due to dengue have been reported,” Wanniarachchi explained.
She also noted that as a government, they are taking steps to recruit those in the Dengue Task Force to the public service. A cabinet paper is to be presented by the Minister of Health in this regard to extend their service in recognition of their commitment and interest in implementing the activities.
“I will submit to the Cabinet the additional allowances and overtime allowances required for the health workers working in the provincial councils, and the central government will take immediate action to provide funds to the provincial councils,” Wanniarachchi elaborated.
Health teams including the Minister of Health distributed leaflets to improve awareness on dengue control to the people of Kuruwita.
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Health Services Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara, National Dengue Control Unit Director Dr. Anura Jayasekera, Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Lakmal Konara, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Principal Secretary Ranjani Jayakody, Rathnapura Administrative Public Health Inspector Srilal Liyanage, and health officers including members from the tri-forces and the Police were present at the occasion.
Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi distributes leaflets to improve awareness on dengue control in Kuruwita, 18 October 2020.[/caption]
Speaking at the event, Wanniarachchi said the Government will launch an operation to control Covid-19 as well as to eradicate dengue mosquitoes, both of which are having a devastating impact on society.
She pointed out that more lives have been lost in Sri Lanka due to dengue than due to Covid-19. While only 13 deaths were reported due to Covid-19, 34 lives were lost due to dengue this year. The Minister emphasised that people should also support the Government's programme to control dengue mosquitoes by cleaning their premises.
A total of 4,311 dengue patients were reported from the whole island in the second quarter of 2020, with the highest number of dengue patients being reported from the Kandy and Ratnapura Districts, reporting 715 and 668 cases, respectively.
The highest number of dengue patients reported from a Medical Officer of Health Division in the Ratnapura District was from Kuruwita, amounting to 169 patients. Owing to this, the national dengue mosquito control programme was launched from Kuruwita.
According to Epidemiology Unit records, a total of 27,870 dengue patients have been reported in the last few months this year, and due to the prevailing rainy weather, there is a risk of the spread of dengue.
“This is National Mosquito Control Week. We have to pay equal attention in eradicating dengue and controlling the spread of Covid-19 at this time. This year we have recorded the lowest number of dengue patients in the last 10 years. In 2018, about 51,000 dengue patients were reported. In 2019, 105,049 dengue patients were reported, with 158 deaths. This year, only 34 deaths due to dengue have been reported,” Wanniarachchi explained.
She also noted that as a government, they are taking steps to recruit those in the Dengue Task Force to the public service. A cabinet paper is to be presented by the Minister of Health in this regard to extend their service in recognition of their commitment and interest in implementing the activities.
“I will submit to the Cabinet the additional allowances and overtime allowances required for the health workers working in the provincial councils, and the central government will take immediate action to provide funds to the provincial councils,” Wanniarachchi elaborated.
Health teams including the Minister of Health distributed leaflets to improve awareness on dengue control to the people of Kuruwita.
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Health Services Director Dr. Kapila Kannangara, National Dengue Control Unit Director Dr. Anura Jayasekera, Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Lakmal Konara, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Principal Secretary Ranjani Jayakody, Rathnapura Administrative Public Health Inspector Srilal Liyanage, and health officers including members from the tri-forces and the Police were present at the occasion.