Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma is assuring the population there is absolutely no need for any concern about dengue. He said the Government was doing "everything required" in the fight against dengue. Sharma said all health centres were on high alert and that no one would be turned away. He said a national clean-up campaign would again be launched to counter-attack the spread of the deadly virus. Sharma said citizens would be called on to remove old vehicles, cut their lawns, dispose of garbage "in more intelligent manner," and that garbage collection would be beefed up.
Sharma was speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the ministry's office, Kent House, Maraval.
Before the press conference, Sharma, along with Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, held a meeting with top representatives from the health sector and several other government agencies. "We are asking for full co-operation from corporate, private and all government institutions," he said. "We are asking every truck driver in this country, every truck owner, every backhoe owner/operator to make their vehicles available at least two days between now and September, where every old car, old bed, mattress, fridge, stove will be picked up and taken to a place where they should be at." When asked about the cost, Sharma said it was not important. "Rest assured the Government has responded and the Prime Minister was very clear in her instructions that we do what is required," he said. Sharma said with the launch of the massive clean-up action plan, the media should not have reason to report on any dengue deaths.
'Deadly to children'
Khan said because dengue had been in this country for almost 30 years, there was a strain of the virus which had become prevalent and was fatal to young children. This was Type 4 of the dengue fever. He said his ministry would soon launch a campaign to sensitise the population about the life cycle of the virus and ways to be protected. "Our young children are susceptible to the fatal form of dengue and that is a message that has to be articulated loud and clear," he said. "For us to protect them, we have to go according to how we manage the disease process."
He said there were two facets which were prevention and management. "Right now, a lot of people are going after the management of the disorder," Khan said. "However, I am trying to focus on the prevention of the disorder." He said some places around the home which collected water and bred mosquitoes were old tyres, drums/barrels, flower pots, old shoes, brick holes, bottles, roof guttering and bottle pieces on top of walls. "I am asking the people of our country to please clean up your surroundings and look where water can be collected," he said.