It was informed during the review meeting regarding the dengue situation in the province that the highest number of dengue cases have been reported in the Jaffna district in the Northern Province. Three people have died and 2192 people have been affected by dengue fever in Jaffna district so far this year.
In the review meeting held today (14.12.2023) under the chairmanship of the Honorable Governor of the Northern Province P.S.M. Charles, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Northern Province K. Kanakeswaran, the Director of Provincial Health Services Dr. T . Saththiyamurthy, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Northern Province, G/A, officials of health workshops, etc. They also participated through Zoom. The review meeting was held at the Auditorium of the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat in Jaffna.
Government agents and health officials of the respective districts stated that very few dengue cases have been reported in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar districts, but the situation is under control.
In this case, the officials briefed the Honorable Governor in detail about the increase in the number of dengue patients in Jaffna district and the challenges faced by the health department in controlling the spread of dengue fever.
Accordingly, the Honorable Governor advised to conduct discussions at the village level to prevent the spread of dengue fever and create awareness among the public. He said that the cleaning of the Vatican should be carried out in an orderly manner and prevent the build-up of sewage on abandoned and neglected grounds. The Honorable Governor also instructed the officials to take swift legal action against the land owners in respect of unmaintained lands. The Honorable Governor also advised to get the cooperation of the police and the armed forces for dengue eradication activities.
The Honorable Governor of the Northern Province issued an order that students should be prevented from carrying plastic items to classes in all the schools in the Northern Province and the students should be made aware of dengue eradication during the morning meeting. He also said that the heads of departments should be instructed to carry out weekly cleaning work in all the government departments in the province.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police said that theAy are ready to provide full cooperation for dengue eradication activities. He also said that announcements can be made in three-wheelers equipped with loudspeakers found in police stations. Also, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police said that environmental protection police officers can also be involved in village level activities.
Accordingly, the Hon’ble Governor said to start weekly village level discussions and awareness activities immediately and to improve the treatment of dengue victims in government hospitals. In addition, the Honorable Governor directed the Provincial Health Service Director that the government doctors working in the private hospitals in the Northern Province should act with social concern regarding dengue fever and advise the relevant doctors in this regard.
