OUR homeland, Pakistan, is our responsibility to make clean and green. Maintain a clean and dry environment, store usable water properly, and eliminate unnecessary water to dry up. Within the first four days, 90% of dengue can be eradicated by addressing dengue eggs and larvae. In addition to combating COVID-19, we must also defeat Dengue. Public awareness and education are crucial, and the strong support of the local community is essential.
The district health authority and administration, along with the primary, secondary, and specialized health departments, have been actively working since the dengue outbreak in last 2 decades. We must not rest, but rather, it is essential to take preventive measures against its resurgence. Teams have been organized with discipline and readiness, and refresher training has been conducted on regular basis.
Adherence to health practices is lacking among the public. When we implement health principles, we can secure the lives of our loved ones and fellow citizens. To create a healthy, clean, and green Pakistan, and to prevent dengue, we must keep our environment clean and dry. Establish infection control teams at homes, offices, markets, and schools, evaluating buildings regularly and following health recommendations.
“From Awareness to Action: Pakistan’s Plan to Eliminate Dengue”Avoid stagnant water anywhere. For under-construction homes, rented properties, and empty plots with uncovered water storage tanks, ensure proper upkeep. Clean all the water under and roof top tanks to remove dengue eggs. Do not allow any kind of refuse or tires on rooftops or uncovered containers. In gardens and pots, add a small amount of water and change it regularly. Proper disposal of waste within the covered dust bins, also note and tie the rappers and shoppers (better to use cloth bags for shopping).
All community activist must engage the youngsters along with allied health department to conduct a fortnightly cleaning campaigns and engage some trainers for recycling and upcycling training of waste management. This will lead to a entrepreneurial direction as well as clean environment.
Larvae control is key to dengue prevention, with a 90% impact. Properly manage underground tanks (cleaning walls is crucial for larval control). The nation must understand that exponential growth of dengue during breeding time during spring & Moon soon. So we must take preventive measures timely. Together, we must play our part in making our homeland (Pakistan) healthy and safe. A clean, neat, and green Pakistan is our ultimate goal and our identity.”
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Rawalpindi.
