Dengue Awareness Must Go Beyond Symbolism

The government has declared the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) as Dengue Awareness Month. Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel made the announcement at a formal event in the capital on Wednesday. Since the number of dengue-carrying mosquitoes starts to rise in Shrawan and remains high until Kartik (mid-November), the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Department of Health Services has stated that awareness campaigns will be conducted throughout this period to educate citizens at all levels. According to the EDCD, the campaign will involve all three tiers of government, all ministries, and members of parliament. As part of the initiative, every Friday will be observed as Clean Friday, during which all public institutions and agencies will be mobilized to clean and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Another key initiative, One Hour a Week Keeps Dengue Away, will mobilize communities to search for and destroy mosquito larvae. It will also include discussions and advocacy at the federal, provincial and local levels to develop strategies and activities necessary for dengue control. Additionally, door-to-door campaigns will be conducted in each ward using posters and media outreach to raise awareness about the risks, symptoms, and prevention of dengue. This timely government's announcement to contain the further spread of dengue is a step in the right direction. But this awareness campaign must go beyond symbolism.