Thus, we need to handle it massively, especially among children, because they are vulnerable to dengue feverJakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry has collaborated with a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, Enesis, to disseminate information on the prevention of dengue fever by launching special mobile promotional cars under the "Realizing a Dengue-free Indonesia" campaign.
"This dengue disease occurs every year in Indonesia. Previously, we knew that it only occurs during the rainy season. However, now, the seasons change. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it's hot, so many places become nests of mosquito larvae," Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated at the launch of the cars at the office of the Ministry of Health here on Tuesday.
To this end, he noted that preventive measures must be intensified in order to handle the increasing number of dengue cases throughout the year.
According to Harbuwono, as of June 2022, dengue fever cases in Indonesia had touched 52 thousand and had caused 516 deaths.
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"Thus, we need to handle it massively, especially among children, because they are vulnerable to dengue fever," he remarked.
The special car will be used to promote a clean and healthy lifestyle and the 3M+ dengue prevention movement that encompasses cleaning water storage containers, tightly closing water storage containers, recycling or getting rid of used goods, and preventing mosquito breeding places.
The cars will be operated specifically in the vicinity of elementary schools and hospitals and for the general public, including women of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) in cities across the country.
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For the initial stage, the cities to be visited are Bandung, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, and Malang. Thereafter, it will be continued gradually by targeting more than 100 points throughout Indonesia. The peak of the campaign will fall on August 20 to coincide with World Mosquito Day.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Enesis Indonesia Foundation, Ryan Tirta Yudhistira, stated that the dissemination will be conducted in an attractive manner to draw the attention of children.
With the cars being operated, school children are expected to become the agents of change by spreading information regarding dengue fever prevention.
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Translator: Suci Nurhaliza, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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