January 04, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe chaired a recent progress review meeting where positive news emerged regarding the containment of dengue in the Western and Central Provinces. The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dengue control programs in these regions.
Collaborative efforts directed by the President’s Office, in line with health protocols, involving the armed forces and police, have successfully reined in the spread of dengue. Various control and awareness initiatives, especially within Medical Officer of Health (MoH) divisions, were credited for effectively managing the situation.
While acknowledging the containment in the Western and Central Provinces, the meeting highlighted the need to shift focus to districts like Jaffna, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa. Targeted interventions are slated for areas with high dengue incidence, including government institutions, schools, religious sites, public spaces, and private establishments.
President Wickremesinghe praised the ongoing nationwide efforts to combat dengue, emphasizing diverse program implementations.
To further combat the spread, a decision was made to establish an operational unit supervised by the Ministry of Health. A special meeting, chaired by the Health Ministry Secretary and attended by heads of the armed forces and the Acting Police Inspector on January 3, outlined plans for a reporting system to monitor daily progress, focusing on the province and future strategies for dengue control.
