Progress review meeting reveals:

Sharp drop in dengue

The Health Ministry yesterday said that the country has witnessed a sharp decrease in the number of dengue cases with the implementation of a comprehensive dengue control drive.

The ministry officials said the number of dengue cases reported in the country has declined from 22,500 in 2009 to 11,000 in 2011 due to the viable programmes implemented by the ministry for the eradication of dengue mosquito breeding places. The programmes launched by the Ministry from 2010 to June came under review.

This information was revealed at the progress review meeting of the Health Ministry held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The officials also said that the programmes launched by the Health Ministry have seen a 30 percent decrease in the number of people affected by hydrophobia.

Officials also pointed out that the various programmes launched by the Health Ministry have resulted in a reduction of dengue related deaths from 182 in 2009 to 82 in 2011.

The meeting also focused on the programmes being implemented by the ministry to ensure health of people living in villages, in the North, East and the plantation sector.

Ways and means of uplifting the health condition of children, including infants, came in for discussion. Discussions focused on the Triposha programme.

Officials also focused on the development of infrastructure facilities in hospitals, provision of medical equipment and quality health service to hospitals and construction of new hospitals at this progress review meeting.

Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake also presented a report compiled by provincial health ministers on the shortcomings existing in government hospitals. Provincial health ministers in this report has pointed out ways of preventing these shortcomings in hospitals.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Provincial health ministers, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and Health Services Director General Dr. Ajith Mendis were also present.