Sindh government in collaboration with Plan International Pakistan and Reckitt Benckiser has launched "Dengue Se Paak Pakistan" campaign to further the cause of a dengue-free Pakistan. Dr Shireen Narejo, Special Secretary Health Sindh said this during a press conference at local hotel on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Fahad Ashraf, Director Marketing Reckitt Benckiser, and Asim Saleem, representative from Plan International.
Dr Shireen Narejo said that incidences of dengue increased in post rainy season due to stagnant water that becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This year, she said, provincial governments are taking proactive measures at the grass root level to ensure reduction in the incidence of dengue in Pakistan, which has significantly increased in the last five years.
In 2015 alone, 3,692 cases were reported in Sindh while KPK and Punjab accounted for 1,397 and 4,281 dengue victims, respectively. These cases were reported across urban cities as well as rural settlements. "The Sindh government is already working on a dengue prevention and control programme. We want to proactively plan for this season to ensure people are adequately equipped with the right tools to protect themselves from diseases like dengue," said Dr Shireen Narejo while speaking to reporters at the event.
Fahad Ashraf also spoke about the Campaign, "This initiative is in line with RB's philosophy of 'Healthier lives, happier homes'. Mortein has been actively involved in enabling and empowering families to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue, since the past several years. This time with this campaign we aim to go national and have envisaged a Dengue Se Paak Pakistan. We appreciate the government's support immensely in this regard."
The Campaign aims to reduce the incidence of dengue all over the country through a multi-pronged approach that will focus on a number of pre-planned activities characterised by a combination of innovative approaches to generate maximum impact and learning. These activities will focus on educating people mainly on four key areas mainly: cover (open water containers and getting rid of stagnant water puddles); clear (trash and keep surroundings clean); safety (through use of anti-mosquito products) and, support (each other by encouraging this behaviour). A 'Dengue Se Paak Pakistan'anthem sung by acclaimed vocalist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan also forms part of the Campaign's awareness plan.