You might have read the above article donning our ST headlines
on 4 Feb 2005 and many more articles on Dengue alert being released
in the media to keep the public vigilant against the disease.
We are seeing an upsurge in dengue cases during the past few years
and last year 9,459 dengue cases (highest in ten years) has been
reported by the National Environment Agency (NEA). This has continued
in January 2005 with 1,145 cases reported. NEA has been furnishing
regular updates through the press on the rise in the number of
dengue cases and alerted the public to take the necessary precautions.
NEA alone cannot combat the outbreak and we need to garner the
grassroots' support and community involvement. NEA has embarked
on the Mozzie Attack programme since April 2004 which brings about
greater awareness of dengue fever and preventive measures by leveraging
on grassroots networks. Constituencies (eg. Paya Lebar, Eunos,
Tampines Changkat, Kembangan-Punggol, Aljunied-Hougang, Punggol
Central) and many more in North East district have embarked on
this programme to avert a dengue outbreak in their constituencies
and it has proved to be successful. With the grassroots involvement,
there has been a marked improvement in the cases and also a heightened
level of awareness amongst the residents.
" Prevention is better than cure". Let's work
together to bring about a dengue free estate for the benefit of
the residents.
The Mozzie Attack programme basically consists
of a series of intense community educational activities and their
prime objectives are as follows :
- To raise residents’ level of awareness
on mosquitoes.
- To decrease indoor Aedes mosquito breeding.
This programme is carried out with a formation
of a Task Force and in collaboration with the existing Dengue Prevention
Volunteer Group (DPVG). Through this programme, the DPVG will carry
out programmes and a series of exercises to educate the public to
take ownership of the environment.
The Mozzie Task Force will be headed by our Head (NERO), Mr Martin
Nathan and the co-chairman will be from the various CCCs (members
nominated by CCC Chairman and/or adviser). The Task Force is made
up of at least 10 members as follows :
| |
Chairman |
: Mr Martin Nathan (Head NERO) |
| |
Co-Chairman |
: CCC Member |
| |
Members |
: CCC/RC Members (at least 8 nos) |
| |
|
: Town Council Representative |
| |
|
: Inclusive of DPVG Team Leader Mr Richard Tay Ah Wah |
| |
|
: NEA Rep (2 Officers) |
The Task Force will focus on educational drives
to bring the message to the residents on dengue and its preventive
measures to be taken, through various programmes ie. house visits
etc.
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