Taking the threat of dengue seriously

With Eid holidays behind us, and the season turning warmer, one issue has remained constant throughout: The very real threat of dengue. Last year saw the worst outbreak of dengue ever in the country, and if we are lackadaisical and not treating the disease with the seriousness it warrants, this could be our reality for 2024 as well. With memories of last year still fresh, with hundreds of thousands hospitalized and over 1,700 deaths, it is crucial to underscore the importance of prevention as the best way to avoid the devastation that dengue can cause, from disease and death to overwhelming our woefully inadequate healthcare facilities. Prevention remains the cornerstone of dengue control. Measures such as eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, using mosquito nets and repellents, and other such measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Community participation is also vital, as collective efforts can effectively curb mosquito populations and prevent outbreaks. Of course, one of the primary reasons prevention is paramount is to prevent healthcare facilities from becoming overstretched. Dengue has led to a surge in hospitalizations in the past, straining resources and personnel. While increasing the capacity of our healthcare is something we should be working towards daily, by focusing on prevention, there is an opportunity to minimize the number of dengue cases and ensure that healthcare facilities can adequately manage the disease. Being united against dengue is something we should all be able to agree with. Let us not have a repeat of 2023 again.
Published on: 2024-04-16 05:37:48.238018 +0200 CEST