All must play a part in getting rid of dengue – Dr Sim
KUCHING: The community must discard the idea that the war against dengue is the job of the Health Department or local authorities, and take charge of their own health and safety.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian pointed out that it takes a mere 10 minutes a week to walk around one’s house compound or business premises to make sure there is no breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“The government is making all sorts of efforts to fight Dengue, such as by inspecting construction sites, abolishing illegal dumping ground, and increasing awareness activities.
“But all this won’t achieve their target if there is no involvement from every level of society,” he said, adding that every individual has a role to play,
He was speaking at the Mega Gotong-Royong event at Demak Laut Commercial Centre here yesterday.
The event was the second series of a state-wide war against Aedes mosquitoes this year, involving 21 agencies.
It was organised by the state government and State Health Department and attended by Deputy Kuching Resident Tuah Suni and State Health Department deputy director Dr Nordin Salleh.
According to the latest statistics for this year, 920 cases of Dengue have been recorded as of December 10 compared to 2,639 cases during the same period last year.
A total of 10 districts saw more than five cases compared to the same period last year; namely Bau (24 cases), Betong (22), Serian (21), Saratok (14), Lawas (11), Lundu (9), Pakan (7), Selangau (6) and Tatau ( 5).
T he Demak Laut Commercial Centre area was once declared a Dengue hotspot in 2016 for 54 days, with 18 cases recorded.
This year, the area recorded four cases.