Aligning to combat dengue

(From left) Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia Lada Phumas, Dr Fraisse, Dr Muhammad Radzi, Dr Dzulkefly, Dr Akhmal, Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Ary Norton de Murat Quintella and DNDi Dengue Global Programme and Scientific Affairs (South Asia) head Dr Neelika Malavige at Dengue Research Visibility Day in Shah Alam. — SS KANESAN/The Star

AN INTERNATIONAL collaboration of medical experts are working to develop affordable and accessible treatments for dengue.

The Dengue Alliance in collaboration with Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) and Health Ministry’s research outfit Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) includes stakeholders from India, Brazil and Thailand.

Apart from conducting research programmes and clinical trials, the collaboration coordinates efforts to fill knowledge gaps, look into potential treatments and test drug candidates with a primary focus of producing cost-effective and accessible treatments within the next five years.

DNDi South-East Asia director Jean-Michel Piedagnel said the collaboration allowed countries to tap into a wider pool of expertise.

“This allows participating countries to be part of research efforts which is urgently needed,” he said at Dengue Research Visibility Day held at National Institutes of Health in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Guest of honour Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad expressed support for the collaboration and hoped it would succeed in developing an effective treatment.

He said the government had stepped up efforts at combating the spread of dengue which centred around prevention and surveillance.

“We have also enhanced efforts to organise community-driven cleanups aimed at improving awareness.

“We also ensure that fogging is done consistently in high-risk areas.”

World Health Organisation representative to Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe in a pre-recorded address said Malaysia recorded a surge in the number of dengue cases and deaths.

Last year, the country reported more than 120,000 cases with 96 fatalities, compared to some 66,000 cases and 56 deaths in 2022.

He attributed the increase to the impact of climate change and increased travels after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

Also present were CRM chief executive officer Dr Akhmal Yusof, Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan and DNDi Research and Development director Dr Laurent Fraisse.