Lady Ridgeway Hospital launches special dengue mosquito control programme

Colombo, July 10 (Daily Mirror) - The Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital has launched a special integrated vector control programme to protect children receiving treatment and hospital staff amid the rising spread of dengue in the country.

As part of the initiative, a large-scale dengue mosquito control Shramadana campaign was conducted throughout the hospital premises and surrounding areas today (10), focusing on environmental cleaning and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

The programme included the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, fumigation, cleaning of hospital premises, clearing of rain gutters, and cleaning areas associated with ongoing construction activities.

Speaking about the initiative, Acting Director of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital Dr. Pradeep Ratnasekera said the recent increase in dengue cases reported across the country had created challenges in managing the hospital system.

He said around 50 to 75 children with dengue had been reported at the hospital in recent days, although a slight decline in the number of cases has been observed at present.

Dr. Ratnasekera said the programme was launched based on information indicating that dengue mosquito breeding sites were commonly found in government and public premises. The initiative involves hospital specialists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members.

He added that the mosquito control programme was carried out by dividing the hospital premises into four zones and conducting activities over a six-hour period.

Hospital staff, members of the hospital committee, tri-forces personnel, public health inspectors, medical officers of health, and officials from the Colombo Municipal Council participated in the joint dengue control campaign.