Health, Education authorities hold anti-dengue campaign in KK

KOTA KINABALU: The Health and Education Departments have joined forces for an awareness campaign to combat dengue in schools after a cumulative 501 cases were detected in the state capital so far this year.

This is a 250% increase over the 143 cumulative cases recorded within the same period last year.

The "1 School 1 Champion Against Dengue Programme '' under the Dengue-Free School Programme was held on March 28 with SJKC Che Hwa Kolombong near here selected to host the launch.

This initiative was a collaboration between the Kota Kinabalu Health and Education offices launched by Kota Kinabalu health officer and public health specialist Dr Prabakaran Dhanaraj.

At the launch, Dr Prabakaran said the main objective of the programme was to expose schoolchildren to dengue prevention and control activities with the aim of creating a group that will become “change agents” for the community.

“In the dengue cases reported this year, 60% were children," he said.

The programme was also implemented to build understanding and methods to prevent and control dengue fever in schools so it was vital to involve all groups including parents and school staff, he added.

Fortunately, Dr Prabakaran said, no deaths from dengue were reported in Kota Kinabalu so far this year.

Among the dengue outbreak hotspots in the city is Taman Nelly Phase 4 where 27 cases were detected over 26 days.

Dr Prabakaran said Taman Kuala Menggatal Phase 2 was also an outbreak site, with 15 cases reported recently over 17 days.

Kota Kinabalu assistant education officer (talent unit, student development sector) Ahmad Mohd Akib also attended the launch, representing the district education officer.

Among other activities held during the launch were talks on the disease, dengue-free programme briefings, exhibitions, quizzes and a treasure hunt.