‘United Against Dengue' alliance launched to combat surge in cases
PETALING JAYA : A new regional collaboration aimed at strengthening dengue prevention and control across Southeast Asia was launched today.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have officially launched 'United Against Dengue' (UAD) amid a surge in dengue cases worldwide, with Malaysia alone recording 14,310 cases and 16 deaths this year.
UAD, which also involves independent advocacy group Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia, is built on three strategic pillars – educate, advocate, and support.
The 'educate' pillar focuses on strengthening community resilience through awareness and preparedness.
This includes disease education campaigns, volunteer training via the Epidemic Control for Volunteers toolkit, and hygiene promotion.
Enhanced surveillance and early response protocols will also be implemented to guide communities in effectively managing dengue risks.
The 'advocate' pillar aims to ensure long-term sustainability of dengue prevention by engaging policymakers, medical societies, and community organisations.
Efforts focus on integrating dengue control measures into national health strategies and promoting regional alignment among public health stakeholders. This approach strengthens health systems and supports coordinated action for lasting impact.
The 'support' pillar provides direct care and assistance to individuals and communities affected by dengue. This includes mobilising resources and community-based responses to offer timely aid, helping to reduce the disease's impact and support recovery efforts in vulnerable areas.
'UAD exemplifies the power of collaboration and community engagement in tackling this significant public health challenge,' said Dr Deepa Gamage, public health specialist (disease control) at the WHO representative office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.
'The WHO commends this creative approach to reaching and educating communities across the region. Together, we believe we can make zero preventable deaths by 2030 in Southeast Asia and beyond possible.'
Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia chairman Dr Zulkifli Ismail noted that dengue continues to pose a significant public health threat across Asia and beyond, requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral action at both regional and national levels.
'Cross-sector collaboration will continue to be crucial for driving progress and protecting vulnerable populations from dengue, and UAD reflects a clear intent to catalyse collaborative efforts to drive progress in dengue prevention and management,' he said.
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