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10,000
schools to the fore in anti-dengue battle Scores of civic action groups met at the Nagarodaya Hall in Borella yesterday to map out the strategy to be launched in coordination with the Ministries of Health, Education and other agencies. One of Sri Lanka's most eminent medical personalities, Professor Carlo Fonseka and social justice crusader Sarath Fernando who coordinated yesterday's meeting outlined the vision, the mission, the goals and strategy for the countrywide programme based on the principle that dengue should be curbed and thus could be curbed. Mr. Fernando who represents the National Alliance for the Protection of Human Rights and Natural resources said they hoped to mobilise some 1,000 groups and through them at least 1,000,000 people to support and sustain the dengue war which they are confident of winning as Cuba had done. But Prof. Carlo Fonseka, former Colombo Medical Faculty Dean said Cuba was perhaps the only country following the Socialist policy of equality and an equitable distribution of wealth and resources. He said he believed the battle against dengue and other important battles could be won if society identified the real enemy -- the self-interest and greed perpetuated by the forces and policies of the capatilist market economy. According to the strategy millions of school children would be educated and encouraged to lead their families every Sunday in a clean-up programme for one or two hours. The Sunday clean-up programme would be continued every week and checked in schools until it becomes a habit. Cutting down on the use of polythene and proper disposal of garbage would be part of the plan. The media would be called upon to support the dengue eradication and prevention through special programmes on Sundays. In addition to this every Friday would be declared a dengue eradication and prevention day in offices, schools and institutions. All would be called upon to take part in the action plan to get rid of dengue breeding areas. It was pointed out that dengue, being largely a monsoonal epidemic, the current scourge would end by this month and the main aim of the national campaign would be to prevent another outbreak with the next monsoon. Representatives of village and urban-based civic action groups also proposed that even Daham Pasal or Sunday school students should be encouraged to go beyond religious learning and take some action for the common welfare and wellbeing. This could be done through active involvement in the dengue prevention strategy. Some pointed out many doctors were prospering on the epedimic and one company was making millions on an ointment while the level of public cooperation was inadequate. The action plan drawn up yesterday will be placed before the government for approval and implementation through the anti-dengue task force set up under the Health Ministry or a new high powered task force working directly under the President. |
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