Health Minister orders urgent dengue control drive across 14 high-risk districts

Colombo, June 15 (Daily Mirror) - Health Minister and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has directed officials to urgently convene all relevant stakeholders, including District Secretaries from 14 high-risk districts, to strengthen measures against the ongoing dengue outbreak.

The directive was issued during a special discussion held this morning (15) at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media to review urgent interventions aimed at curbing the spread of dengue.

The meeting, chaired by the Minister, focused on enhancing national dengue control efforts, including hospital preparedness, field-level mosquito control programmes, and the effectiveness of ongoing interventions.

Officials conducted an extensive review of current activities, identifying operational challenges, implementation gaps, and the need for improved coordination among government institutions, local authorities, and security forces. The importance of strengthening public participation and intensifying awareness campaigns was also emphasized.

Minister Jayatissa highlighted that dengue control programmes must be accelerated with greater urgency, stronger community engagement, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration. He further instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to treatment guidelines and expedite a nationwide media campaign to educate the public.

The discussion also covered arrangements for the National Dengue Control Week, which began today (15) and will continue until 20 June. All related activities were directed to be treated as priority services, with immediate implementation of coordinated action plans.

The Minister additionally called for the development of a long-term, evidence-based national strategy, incorporating international best practices, aimed at the eventual eradication of dengue in Sri Lanka.

Senior health officials, including representatives of the National Dengue Control Unit, attended the discussion.