Dengue Prevention Program in Colombo District wins international recognition at digital health award

The Dengue Prevention Program launched in the Colombo District has won the first place in the Commonwealth Digital Health Conference, according to the Deputy Health Director of the Western Province Anil Samaranayake.

Digital Health Sri Lanka 2017, the 2nd Commonwealth Digital Health Conference and the 2nd Commonwealth Digital Health Awards Ceremony 2017 were held from 10-12 October at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo

The Deputy Health Director said the Dengue Prevention Program will be expanded to the Kalutara and Gampaha districts as well.

Under this digital health system, the Western Province Health Office can be notified electronically as soon as a blood test report of a patient complaining of fever is shown to be “dengue positive”. Once the notification is received the dengue eradication officers will be directed to the patient’s residence to commence dengue control activities in and around the area.

The Commonwealth Digital Health awards are being conducted for the second time after their successful launch at the 24th Triennial Conference of the Commonwealth Medical Association in 2016. A panel of internationally-recognised experts adjudicated this year’s awards in several thematic areas including Adolescent Health, Communicable Diseases, Non-communicable Diseases, Reproductive Health and Nutrition.