Controlling dengue not only Ministry responsibility - WHO official

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Controlling dengue fever is not only the responsibility of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry, WHO representative to Sri Lanka Dr. Firdos Rustom Mehta said.

Twelve sections including legal, municipal, environmental and construction are also responsible of controlling dengue.

The Sri Lankan Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry should get full credit because it is one of the countries producing accurate and up to date daily reports on dengue fever, Dr. Mehta said.

Addressing a press briefing at the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry yesterday, Dr. Mehta said more sectoral coordination is required, in addition to steps taken by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry.

Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Maheepala said over 17,000 dengue cases have been reported since January and the number of deaths reported so far is 175.

Kandy has reported 2,475 cases and 28 deaths while Colombo district has recorded 2,374 cases and 19 deaths.

The number of cases reported from Gampaha district is 2,363 and the number of deaths reported from the district is five which is the highest from all districts.

The dengue control program implemented by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry with the support of the Civil Defence Committee is being carried out successfully.

Two Cuban doctors will arrive in Sri Lanka today to find out successful methods to control dengue mosquitoes.