DILI, 08 june 2021 (TATOLI) – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), through the Disease Control Department in collaboration with the Environmental Health Department, launched the Integrated Vector Borne Disease Control (VBDC) campaign, starting with Dengue and Malaria.
Dr. Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative in Timor-Leste congratulated the Disease Control Department and Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health for their collaboration with WHO to launch the VBDC campaign.
Mathur said it was the first time such committees have been established for better coordination among various departments involved in vector control and clinical case management of Dengue cases.
“It is a visionary step to have a smooth transition plan from the success of malaria control to elimination and then moving towards the Integrated Vector Borne Disease Control initiative in Timor-Leste,” Mathur said in his speech, at Novo Turismo Hotel in Dili, today.
He said dengue was a public health problem in Timor-Leste, and on the other hand, malaria cases have declined over the years. The National Malaria Program was now gearing for achieving the Malaria Elimination Certification.
Mathur informed that dengue has been a public health problem in Timor-Leste with a rising trend of cases – from 975 in 2019 to 1450 in 2020 with a Case Fatality Fate (CFR) of 0.7%, disproportionately affecting children between 1-4 years (0.4% CFR) and 5-14 years (0.2% CFR).
He affirmed that the development of policy and strategy on Vector Borne Disease Control (VBDC) for integrating malaria services into VBDC structures was critical for addressing the new realities and challenges that aimed to prevent the re-occurrence of indigenous malaria transmission to ensure that malaria-free status was maintained.
“It is now imperative that multi-disease control approach is considered, starting with the integration of Malaria and Dengue programs, that rationalizes the use of effective insecticides, use of alternative approaches ranging from the provision or promoting the use of insecticide-treated bed nets, environment management and biological control and actions aimed at personal protection,” Mathur said.
He said the benefits of Integrated Vector Borne Disease Control included motivation of district staff, both for Dengue and Malaria, and extension of the reach of services, which would result in synergies and cost savings.
“To accelerate progress towards realizing this vision and moving towards the Integrated Vector Borne Disease Control initiative applying WHO framework, I am pleased to know that an Integrated Vector Borne Disease Control technical committee is in place now,” he said.
He added that the Department of Environmental Health, in collaboration with the Department of Disease Control and with WHO support, would soon initiate Dengue Control and Prevention through mosquito source reduction activities in 5 municipalities, including Dili, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, and Manatuto.
Mathur emphasized that as a reliable and trusted partner, WHO was committed to ensuring technical support to the Ministry of Health in realizing the vision of a nation free of vector-borne diseases in Timor-Leste.
The VBDC campaign was launched by WHO Representative, Dr. Arvind Mathur, together with the Vice Minister of Health, Dr. Bonifacio Mau Coli Dos Reis, Director General Health Services, Dr. Odete da Silva Viegas, Director of Communicable Disease, Dr. Josefina Clarinha, and the Head of CDC Department of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Senyora Marta.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
