JEDDAH, 16 March 2005 — With reports of new dengue fever cases in Jeddah and Makkah causing great concern for residents and health officials, the Jeddah Region Primary Health Care Department has increased efforts to combat the disease.
The department held a seminar at Al-Balad Health Center recently for health care supervisors and community activists which included a presentation on the mosquitoes that transmit the disease and another dealing with preventive measures. Another seminar will be held for contractors at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI).
An awareness campaign was launched which includes schools, universities, government offices, hospitals and some private institutions. The campaign is utilizing pamphlets, billboards, SMS messages, e-mails and a short television film being prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Information.
“This campaign is taking place as a result of the attention given to this problem by Makkah Region Health Care General Director Dr. Yasser Al-Ghamdi and Jeddah Municipality Health Care Director Dr. Abdul Lateef Idrees,” said Dr. Ashraf Amir, deputy director of health affairs for primary care. “It’s important to get the community involved in fighting this disease and raise awareness because the public is the first line of defense,” he said.
As part of the campaign, Jeddah municipality is continuing to spray all neighborhoods where there are stagnant pools, drainage canals and areas where slaughtering occurred at the beginning of Eid.
