Health Ministry heightens awareness on climate sensitive diseases

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has heightened its community awareness for Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue and Diarrhea ( LTDD) ahead of the cyclone season that would begin next month.

In August this year, the Ministry revealed that 3300 cases of dengue were recorded from January to July and 1000 cases of leptospirosis for the same period.

Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said an outbreak of LTDD was always expected post tropical cyclone season. “The fact that we are in October and the cyclone season is from November, from the Ministry of Health perspective we cannot relax,” Dr Waqainabete said.

“These are climate sensitive diseases and we are lifting our game up another level because of the adverse weather conditions, cyclone seasons, and flooding we currently face. He said the Ministry was looking at introducing health promoting communities around the country where community members were made health conscious through awareness done at their doorstep.

“For health promoting communities, we wish to apply the same principles we are pushing out in Health promoting schools and that is WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), diet and exercise and wellness and mental health.

“We plan to take services into churches, many churches and religious groups have people who have worked or are working in the health profession who can champion this initiative.”