Cabinet to fund dengue control

Nadira Gunatilleke

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva will submit a Cabinet memorandum next Wednesday to obtain funds for the implementation of dengue control measures recommended by the local experts' committee. The recommendations are based on the report submitted by Cuban epidemiologists, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

Chief Cuban Eppidemiologist Dr. Aramis Martinez and Assistant Epidemiologist Dr. Yelina conducted a study on the dengue epidemic in Sri Lanka and submitted a report to the Minister having spent about one month in affected areas.

Minister De Silva handed over the report to a committee of local experts consisting of university lecturers, entomologists, microbiologists and ordered the committee to submit their recommendations in a report within one week.

The committee studied the report produced by the Cuban epidemiologists and submitted the report. The recommendations will be included in the Cabinet memorandum.

The Cuban epidemiologists have recommended to introduce spot fines, a proper solid waste disposal system and aerial spray of BTI. They also submitted another report on estimated cost to implement the recommendations.