Report on the Programme of Control and Prevent Dengue Fever

Northern Province

Despite tremendous efforts by Local Authorities and public health institutions in Sri Lanka
it has proven difficult to achieve effective and sustainable control of the primary dengue
virus vector mosquito and to effectively disrupt dengue outbreaks. This problem has
multiple root causes, including uncontrolled solid waste Management, increased global
spread of dengue viruses, and vector and dengue control programs not being provided
adequate resources.

Public involvement in Sri Lanka is crucial to the sustainability of a vector control program
Public education is therefore essential for country's vector control effort.

The effective control of Dengue purely depends on Community Awareness and

participation and inters sectoral collaboration. Due to the urgency and severity of the
problem Presidential Task Force to prevent and Control Dengue Fever launched on 25th of
May 2010 with the guidance and directives of His Excellency the President Mahinda
Rajapaksha

Under the Chairmanship of Maj.Gen. G.A.Chandrasiri Hon. Governor, Northern Province

the Task Force for Dengue Control has been formed according to the directives of His
Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has declared four days in the month of
August for the Dengue Control Cleaning up Campaign.
Accordingly 02nd August 2010, 09th August 2010, 21st August 2010 and 28th August
2010 have been declared for this purpose.

( The 1st day Dengue Eradication for School Cleanup programme have been started by
the Hon. K.N.Douglas Devananda MP, Minister of and Traditional Industries and
Small Enterprises Development and Hon. Governor, Northern Province G A
Chandrasiri on 2nd August 2010 at J/Kanagaratnam MMV,Jaffna )

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( Hon. K.N.Douglas Devananda MP, Minister of and Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprises Development and Maj. Gen G A Chandrasiri Hon. Governor, Northern
Province were jointly declared open the campaign )

Jaffna Major Mrs.Yogeswary Patkunarajah, Mrs.Emelda Sukumar, Government Agent,

Jaffna,F.Johnson Commssiner of Local Government, Provincial Director of Health
Services, Regional Director of Health Services, Jaffna Mr.A.Ketheeswaran , Zonal
Director of Education, Jaffna Other Government Officials, Principal, Teachers and
Students also were participated in this event.

The students are observing the

message deliver by the Maj.
Gen G A Chandrasiri Hon.
Governor, Northern Province

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Hon. K.N.Douglas Devananda MP, Minister of and Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprises Development and Maj. Gen G A Chandrasiri Hon. Governor, Northern
Province were jointly handed over the compost bin to Jaffna Zonal Director of Education

Hon. K.N.Douglas Devananda MP, Minister of and Traditional Industries and Small
Enterprises Development has inaugurated the Dengue eradication campaign at the
Municipal Council Jaffna

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Thereafter Dengue Control Task Force for Jaffna District has been appointed at the above
inaugural meeting under Co-chairmanship of Hon. Governor, Northern Province
GA.Chandrasri and Hon. K.N.Douglas Devananda MP, Minister of Traditional Industries
and Small Enterprise Development.

The first meeting of Jaffna District Dengue Control Task Force was ceremonially
inaugurated at the Jaffna Public Library Auditorium on 5th June 2010 at 9.00 am. In the
presence of Mrs.P.Yogeswary, Mayor, Municipal Council, Jaffna.
Dr.(Mrs).B.Palehawardane, Chief Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health, Colombo made a
presentation on ‘Present Situation of Dengue Fever in Sri Lanka & Role of various
Stakeholders in Dengue Control’. In his speech Hon. Minister K.N.Douglas Devananda,
MP, requested all to work with commitment from the heart to achieve this task.

Mr.K.Ganesh Government Agent, Jaffna Mrs.P.Yogeswary Mayor, MC/Jaffna;

Dr.A.Ketheeswaran, RDHS, Jaffna Dr.T.Sathiyamoorthy, Director / IDP Health Care,
Cheddikulam and Team Leader of the Hon. Governor appointed Dengue Control Task
Force, Vavuniya were spoke at the meeting. Director, Teaching Hospital, Divisional
Secretaries’ Addl. Provincial Director of Education, Local Heads of Departments,
Provincial Public Health Inspector, NP and other Representatives from the Non
Governmental Agencies were participated at this meeting.

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 Dengue Eradication Campaign in Vavuniya District

Maj.Gen G.A.Chandrasiri Hon. Governor of Northern Province has already started

Dengue Eradication Campaign in Vavuniya District with positive in thinking. He was
pointed out that some currently used vector control methods are not effective, resource
allocations often are skewed toward reactive vector control measures, and proactive
approaches commonly are under funded and therefore poorly executed. In addition Hon.
Governor directed the Provincial Council Officials to pool the resources and concentrate
on the eradication efforts.

The Hon. Governor appreciated all stake holders for their steady support towards this
effort and promised to allocate more money in addition to Rs. 5.0 Mn released already for
this Dengue fever pandemic in Vavuniya.

Hon.Governor has appointed task force for Dengue Eradication in Vavuniya met Hon.
Governor, Northern Province, Major General G. Chandrasiri with provincial agencies for
Health care and Sanitation at Regional Assistant Commissioner’s conference hall in
Vavuniya on 29th December 2009.

The Hon. Governor chaired the meeting with the provincial secretary for health and the
Chairman of the Urban Council, Vavuniya and reviewed the progress of the ongoing
control measures. Task force team leader and Addl. PDHS Dr.T.Sathiyamoorthy made a
visual presentation about the activities. Provincial Director of Health Services (PDHS) Dr.
A.E.Gnanajothy and, RDHS & Regional Epidemiologist Dr.M.Mahendran, PD Irrigation,
PD Road Development, ACLG, MOH Vavuniya, Medical Superintendent General
Hospital Vavuniya, Regional Malaria Officer/AMC Vavuniya and Secretaries to the
Vavuniya Pradeshiya Sabah and Urban Council were participated at the discussions.
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Hon. Governor, Northern Province, GA Chandrasiri convened a meeting to Senior
Government Officials of the Northern Province at the District Secretariat, Vavuniya on 27
July 2010 to discuss the programme on Up Campaign to eradicate dengue in the Northern
Province.
Hon. Governor mentioned that the Presidential Task Force for Dengue Control has been
formed under the directives of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has
declared four days in the month of August for the Dengue Control Cleaning Up
Campaign. Accordingly 02 August 2010 and 09 August 2010 (Mondays) and 21 August
2010 and 28 August 2010 (Saturdays) have been declared for this purpose.

Hon. Governor instructed the officials to make public announcement at least 48hrs prior to
the Specific Dengue Control Cleaning Up Campaign Programme as to make the public
awareness of such programme. In addition he insisted that the officials should monitor the
progress at Village level, Divisional level, District level and at Provincial level.

The 1st Day – Monday 02 August 2010, would ensure cleaning up of schools,
Government Departments, NGO and such Institution and their surroundings are cleaned
up. The students and teachers of the respective schools and the officials of the various
Government Departments and NGOs will be participate in this cleaning campaign. The
Zonal Director of Education and the Governments Agents will be coordinate such
activities.

The 2nd Day – Monday 09 August 2010, would have participants from all commercial
outlets, factories, markets and public places. Here too, the participants from their specific
establishment would clean up said area and its surroundings. The Regional Directors of
Health Services, the Medical Officers of Health and the Public Health Inspectors will be
monitor the programme.

The 3rd Day – Saturday 21 August 2010, would have people participating in and around
their own houses. All refuse and dirt collected to be put into containers and piled up in
nominated spots. These to be taken away by the Local Authorities immediately.

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The 4th Day – Saturday 28 August 2010, would have participants cleaning up the Streets
and Drains and such public places.

Hon. Governor also mentioned that the GA’s should ensure that additional tractors and
other tools and implements and the necessary manpower are provided. He added that
assistance could also be got from the Security Forces and the Police.

Mention was also made to the fact that those institutions, houses and persons concerned
who do not cooperate in this effort to be brought to book and legal action taken against
such persons.

Northern Provincial Council Ministerial Secretaries and Departmental Heads, Government

Agents, Regional Directors of Health Services, Regional Assistant Commissioners of
Local Government, Zonal Directors of Educations, Divisional Secretaries, Local
Authorities, Medical Superintends of Major Hospitals, Medical Offices of Health, Public
Health Inspector and relevant Government Departmental officials were present at this
Coordinating Conference.

Dengue Control Task Force has commenced its exercise of containing & subsequent
eradication of dengue from Jaffna District from 5th June 2010 under the patronage of Hon.
Governor ,Northern Province G A Chandrasiri, and it has been intensified within the
Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) limits from 14 June 2010.

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For this purpose the human resources of the JMC was strengthened with additional 200
cleaning labourers for the cleaning of drainages, abandoned lands & buildings both public
and private in the city area. The ceremonial inauguration of this programme held at the
Jaffna Railway Station premises in the presents of Hon. Governor, NP with the
participation of Mayor Mrs. P.Yogeswary, JPUM, Government Agent, Provincial Health
Secretary Mr. R.Raveendran & Dr.A.Katheeswaran, RDHS Jaffna.

Many areas in the city including Teaching Hospital (TH) Jaffna were cleaned during the
day by various subgroups supervised by different Task Force members. Hon. Governor
has inspected some of these cleaning sites and encourages the cleaning up campaign. This
cleaning up campaign will take place for next seven days in the city of which five days in
the TH premises.

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There was a meeting held at the Regional Commissioner’s office, Jaffna at 3.00 pm under
the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor and the day’s progress of the dengue control
activities such as cleaning of mosquito breeding sites and fogging/spraying to kill
mosquitoes and preventive care and curative care of dengue patients at MOH level and
Hospital level were reviewed following the meeting. Hon. Governor instructed Task
Force members to commence the intensive cleaning activities at schools level from
Tuesday 17 June 2010 onwards. He requested to send the daily progress to his office
before 3.00 pm of the day meeting ends at 5.00 pm and followed by a visit to TH Jaffna
with the Task Team members. 4 December 2009

A meeting with the Local & International Non Government Organizations(NGOs)

including WHO, Oxfam, SLRC, MTI, IOM, Save the Children and others at the
conference hall of the R/ACLG office Vavuniya on 22nd December 2009 at 5.00pm.

There were more than 22 representatives, Provincial Secretary Health, GA for Kilinochchi
and GA for Mullaithivu were present at the Meeting.

Hon. Governor, Northern Province, Major General GA Chandrasiri mentioned that only
UN agencies have the access to the resettlement areas and others can send their assistance
through the GAA and on prior arrangement the respective agency may be allowed in
monitor their assistance. Government Agents requested the organizations to support by
providing agriculture Implements, shelter, cleaning wells for drinking purposes and
materials for fencing the vegetable gardens/ paddy fields and toilet construction etc.
Health Secretary requested vehicles for the mobility of doctors and patients referrals.
Education department requested support like kitchen tensils and dry food provisions for
providing mid-day meals to the school children from re-opening of schools. Hon.
Governor thanked all for their participation at the meeting.

Subsequently Hon. Governor chaired another meeting at the same venue with the Special
Task Force members appointed to combat against mosquitoes to control the dengue
epidemic in the Vavuniya town. An action plan was mooted and tasks assigned with
members to commence action from 23rd onwards in early morning and late evening hours.

As heavy rains is prevailing these days in areas in the North, the Hon. Governor, Northern
Province, Major General GA Chandrasiri has adviced the officials of the Department of

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Health of the Northern Province to take steps to commence a special health programme for
the prevention of Malaria and Dengue in the resettled areas.

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Jaffna District

Hon. Governor Major General GA Chandrasri chaired the first provincial level Dengue
Control Progress Review meeting with the participation of Hon.M.Chandrakumar, MP for
Jaffna District and Jaffna Mayor (Mrs) P.Yogeswary, JPUM, held in Jaffna on 15July,
2010. Mr.R.Raveenthiran, Provincial Health Secretary, Mrs Emelda Sugumar,Government
Agent for Jaffna,

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Divisional Secretaries of Jaffna District, Addl. Provincial Director of Education,Jaffna,
Zonal Directors of Education of Jaffna district,RDDHS of all five districts of NP,
Commissioner & Asst Commissioners of Local Government and all the Medical Officers
of Health in the province were participated at the meeting.

In his opening address Hon. Governor stressed the importance of the provincial level
review meetings as the presidential Secretariat is closely monitoring all the provinces. He
further said that His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa had a special review
meeting for the Northern Province at Temple Trees on 5 July 2010 as his interest is to give
more protection to the IDPs and returnees. Secretary Health outlined the overall efforts
taken by the provincial health ministry and the central health ministry in bringing down
the situation to minimum, All five district level activities of the Dengue Control Task
Force were presented by the respective RDHS.

Hon. Governor requested other districts to

adopt the best practices of the Dengue Task
Team of Vavuniya functioned at the time of
major outbreak of dengue in November 2009
to early February 2010. The special school
clean up campaigns, city cleanup campaigns
in Jaffna were highlighted by the
Addl.PD,Education and JMC Mayor.

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 “ Ekamuthuda” United Day programme on21 August 2010
Based on the Presidential Task Force on Control Dengue, the Ministry of Local
Government and Provincial Council called to mark the “Ekamuthuda” United Day
programme on 21 August 2010.

According to the directives and guidance given by Maj.Gen.G.A.Chandrasiri Hon.

Governor of Northern Province District wise programmes were organized in Mannar,
Jaffna and Mullaithivu

Jaffna District
Valvettithurai Urban Council & Manipay P S

Pubic Awareness Programme

The public doing the Cleaning and Solid Waste disposal Programme

Cleaning the environment

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Public Health Insectr Conducting the Programme

Shramadhana campaign

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 Mullaithvu District
Dengue Eradication Programme of Puthukudiyerrupu P S

Awareness creation among Officials Public Awareness campaign

Chairman, Police Officers and the PHI House holds inspections

Issuing Leaflets among public Dissemination of dengue eradication programme

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Official participating at the Dengue eradication campaign at Murukandi

Secretary P.S Puthukudiyerrupu briefing to a public

Mobile Dengue eradication Awareness programme

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Security Forces and the Local Authority officials were jointly carrying out the
eradication programme

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 Mannar District

Commissioner of Local Government during Public Awareness Campaign

Resources were pooled and used for Town cleaning

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Out sourced labourers cleaning the canals

Best practices and the Success behind the programme….

With the Hon Governor’s continuous directives and proactive campaigns were carried out
successfully and needed financial resources were timely allocated by Hon. Governor from
honours special fund. Then the available resources of adjoined Local Authorities and other
departments were pooled and utilized towards the eradication of dengue. The continuous
assessment and review of control methods and the appropriateness of technology used to
support the present program by the Chairmanship of Hon. Governor NP helps to
sustaining the better performances.

Department of Local Government extends its gratitude to Hon. Governor, NP Secretary,

M/Local Government & Provincial Council, and Chief Secretary, Secretaries, Mayer,
Chairman and the officials of Northern Province.

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