Massive dengue eradication drive at state bodies

A massive dengue eradication drive will begin at all government institutions from today under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena and Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakasa.

The anti- dengue campaign is to be held held under the supervision of Presidential Task Force on Dengue Eradication and the Tri Forces, the Police and the Civil Defence Force.

All government institutions including corporations, authorities, departments and ministries will be inspected by health officials from today to ensure they are free of mosquito breeding sites.

Meanwhile, a release issued by the Information Department under the hand of Additional Information Director General Chandrapala Liyanage said:

The government yesterday urged the public to work closely with all institutions and organisations to prevent dengue from spreading rapidly throughout the island.

The dengue epidemic which was once confined only to urban areas has now spread even to semi urban and rural areas. Deaths of children and elders are reported and many hospitalised as a result of dengue fever.

The government took a number of initiatives to control the spread of Dengue and a Presidential Task Force (PTF) was also appointed in this regard. On the direction of PTF officials, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga issued a circular to government institutions to take prompt action to control dengue with immediate effect.

It was also informed to submit a monthly progress report to the Health Ministry mentioning anti- Dengue programmes undertaken by the authorities.

The government reiterated the importance of all segments working together to overcome this situation.

Knowing the impending danger, the Health Ministry and its subsidiary institutions have joined hands again to curb the menace from the island.

A dengue eradication month has been declared from June 25 to July 25 and many programmes will be launched during this period. All public and private institutions' domestic environments will be checked and mosquito breeding places will be destroyed.

In addition, a massive awareness campaign through posters, cutouts, banners and hand outs will be carried out throughout the country. Around 50 micro biologist teams have been appointed. They will assist to find out places where mosquitoes breed.

Meanwhile, the support of the three Forces and the Police will be utilised to destroy mosquito breeding places in the Colombo district.

Special wards and treatment will be available in each hospital during this period.

Stern action will be taken against those found guilty of having mosquito breeding places.