Health Department, Government of Sindh in collaboration Plan International Pakistan and
Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan launched anti-dengue campaign called ‘Dengue Se Pak Pakistan’ at a local hotel in Karachi. Dr Shireen Narejo, Special Secretary Health Government of Sindh along with Fahad Ashraf, Director Marketing Reckitt Benckiser, and Asim Saleem, representative from Plan International Pakistan announced at a press briefing in which the importance of undertaking proactive measures to reduce the incidence of dengue was highlighted.
Speakers sharing their view on the occasion said that the incidence of dengue increases post rainy season due to stagnant water that becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This year, 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 5 years. In 2015 alone, 3,692 cases were reported in Sindh while KPK and Punjab accounted for 1,397 and 4,281dengue victims. These cases were reported across urban areas as well as rural settlements.
Dr. Shireen Narejo said that 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.
Fahad Ashraf, Director Marketing Reckitt Benckiser informed that this initiative is in line with RB’s philosophy of ‘Healthier lives, happier homes. This time with this campaign we aim to go national and have envisaged a Dengue Se Paak Pakistan. He appreciated 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 characterized by a combination of innovative approaches to generate maximum impact and learning.
These activities will focus on educating people mainly on 4 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 behavior).