Wednesday, 2 July 2014

A call for cooperation between different ministries to combat the continuous and alarming rise in dengue cases through a task force is timely as the epidemic can no longer be left to one ministry to handle.

The task force, announced yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, consists of the Health Ministry, Works Ministry and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry.

It will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and will look into curbing the rise of dengue cases and to implement immediate preventive measures.

Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said though his ministry conducted joint inspections with other agencies at construction sites to curb dengue, the concerted effort between ministries would be more effective.

“We have not been called for a meeting on the special task force yet, but with the coordination between three ministries, we would be able to discuss and streamline how to deal with the outbreak,” he said.

Fadillah said his ministry started working hand-in-hand with the Health Ministry, Immigration Department, Public Works Department and police in inspecting construction areas.

“We initiated inspections to ensure construction sites were safe and clear of breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.

“We also ensure contractors and workers cooperate in this.”

He agreed ministries should not deal with the worrying rise in dengue cases on their own but cooperate for a more effective strategy.

As at June 28, there have been 44,518 reported cases of dengue nationwide.

The epidemic has claimed 85 lives within the past six months.
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