No fresh strategy to fight dengue, admit Malaysian officials

PUTRAJAYA — Except for the nationwide gotong royong, the Health Ministry does not have any other major programme lined up this year despite the increasing number of deaths from dengue.

This is confirmed by the ministry’s Disease Control Division director, Dr Chong Chee Kheong, who said the ministry would carry on with its “usual efforts”.

The one-day gotong royong was held yesterday in 15 dengue hotspots throughout the country.

On the mosquito repelling paint which the ministry said would be introduced last July, Dr Chong said the product was still awaiting registration with the Pesticides Board.

“We hope to introduce it to the public by the end of the year,” he said.

The number of dengue cases from January to Nov 6 rose to 102,217 with 282 fatalities, from 86,192 cases and 162 fatalities in the corresponding period last year.

Dr Chong said the RM30 million (S$9 million) special allocation for dengue under Budget 2015 had all been spent last year.

He said the bulk was used to cover the expenses of Ops Mega, held from July to September last year. It included the purchase of 55,000 dengue test kits meant to be given out for free to private clinics.

“It is not uncommon for us to shift the budget around to deal with emergency situations. The allocation was used to cover the ministry’s costs during Ops Mega, which cost RM27.6 million,” he said.

He said the ministry spent RM100 million last year to combat dengue, inclusive of the RM30 million.

“This did not affect the ministry’s dengue efforts as we have an annual operational budget for this year. The RM30 million was an additional request,” he said.

Asked how much would be spent this year, Dr Chong said he could not provide the figure immediately as the sum was still being tabulated.

There was no specific funding in Budget 2016 for dengue eradication. However, the ministry said it would use part of its overall budget for the purpose.

Head of the Vector Borne Disease Sector Division Dr Rose Nani Mudin also defended the move, saying it was up to the ministry to decide how to spend its allocation.

“It was the same during the H1N1 outbreak where we had to take immediate measures to manage the situation,” she said.

“During post-outbreak, we requested for additional allocations to ensure our operations are not disrupted.

“When dealing with disease outbreaks, it is not something predictable and needs a rapid response. The ministry cannot say it has no allocations to deal with it.”

The ministry also said there were no specific anti-dengue programmes this year and would instead continue existing programmes, including fogging and onsite inspections at suspected breeding spots. MALAY MAIL ONLINE