Role of three-tier government important to control dengue

Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokharel, has said the role of three-tier government was crucial to control dengue.

At an interaction progrmame on ‘Dengue outbreak and control’ organised by Health Journalist Forum here today, Pokharel pointed out the need of actively launching a ‘search and destroy’ campaign to control dengue.

As per the data, the number of people infected from dengue has reached 7,733 till July 6 this year. He shared the information that the dengue disease has spread in 71 districts and seven people lost their lives from dengue this year. Dengue infected people have been receiving treatment free of cost, he mentioned.

Similarly, Director General of Department of Health Services, Dr Dipendra Raman Singh, laid emphasis on the need of increasing health related literacy regarding dengue control. “It is necessary to strengthen role of individuals, families and communities by increasing public health awareness related to health from respective places by all to control dengue,” Singh viewed.

On the occasion, Director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Dr Rudra Marasini, presented a working paper on various issues including situation of dengue in Nepal, national guideline related to prevention, management and control of dengue disease, major achievements made so far and treatment. The local levels have more responsibility in ‘Dengue Control: Search and Destroy Campaign’, said Marasini.

Likewise, Infectious Disease Expert, Dr Anup Bastola, stressed the need of cleaning the places where mosquitoes live and breed. Forum Chairperson Saroj Pokharel mentioned that individuals themselves should take initiatives to control dengue.

The dengue was detected for the first time in Nepal in 2061 BS and the number of dengue infected people is increasing gradually every year after that, he shared. A total of 54,784 people were infected from dengue in 2022 in the country.