Jakarta, IO – Continuing the success of “Langkah Bersama Cegah DBD”, PT Takeda Innovative Medicines expanded its activities to the city of Surabaya, East Java, March 1-3, 2024. This activity is part of the #Ayo3MPlusVaksinDBD campaign, a partnership between PT Takeda Innovative Medicines and the Ministry of Health, as well as all stakeholders, to increase the active role of the community in preventing and controlling dengue fever, formerly known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DBD).
The world is targeting zero deaths from dengue fever by 2030. According to data from the Ministry of Health, in the last five years (2018-2022), an average of 105,763 cases were recorded with 815 deaths. In 2022, the number of cases and deaths reached 143,266 cases with 1,236 deaths. The number of cases and deaths in 2023 recorded lower than in 2022: 114,435 cases with 894 deaths.
“The decrease in the number of cases cannot be separated from the intervention carried out by the government, namely intervention in the environment, in vectors (mosquitoes), and humans. Intervention in the environment through eradicating mosquito nests, intervention in vectors through the use of larvicide and insecticide for fogging, while in humans, through innovative intervention, namely vaccination,” said the Head of the Ministry of Health’s Arbovirus Working Team, dr. Asik Surya, MPPM, Monday (3/3/2024).
He explained that the government continues to collaborate with all related parties in providing continuous education to the public about the importance of comprehensive protection against dengue fever, “We held this campaign in Surabaya because, in 2023, East Java became the third province with the highest cases in Indonesia with 9,401 cases and 103 deaths.”
President Director of PT Takeda Innovative Medicines, Andreas Gutknecht, expressed his appreciation for the commitment given by the government, both central and regional, to jointly fight dengue fever in Indonesia. “Strong synergy is needed between all relevant stakeholders, including the active role of the community. We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to encourage public awareness of the dangers of dengue and also the importance of innovative prevention to protect the wider community who are at risk of contracting dengue. Through ‘Langkah Bersama Cegah DBD’, we hope to involve more people in fighting dengue fever and make the government’s target of achieving zero deaths from dengue a success by 2030,” said Andreas.
Meanwhile, Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the East Java Provincial Health Service, drg. Sulvy Dwi Anggraeni, M.Kes, said that efforts to prevent dengue fever have been carried out with the mosquito nest eradication (PSN) program through the One House One Jumantik Movement. “The PSN program with 3MPlus is still effective, but please recognize the symptoms of the disease before it’s too late to get medical help. Everyone can be infected with dengue fever, regardless of age. For this reason, if a family member experiences symptoms of sudden high fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, or red spots appear on the skin, immediately consult the nearest health service facility. It is important for society to always prioritize 3MPlus, and consider innovative prevention such as vaccines,” she explained.
On the same occasion, the 2019-2024 Chairperson of the PKK of East Java Province, Arumi Bachsin, reminded the importance of preventing fever starting from home, “Dengue fever can infect anyone, both children and adults. Apart from 3MPlus, we can also get prevention through vaccination.”
However, in children, dengue fever has a much higher risk, including causing death. “Data 2022, 48% of deaths due to dengue occurred in children aged 5-14 years. The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) recommends using the dengue fever vaccine, which has a well-tolerated level of safety, in children to reduce the risk of disease severity and reduce the risk of hospitalization,” said dr. Dini Adityarini, Sp.A.
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Continuing the statement made by dr. Dini, dr. Adaninggar Primadia Nariswari, Sp.PD, stated that vaccination is a crucial method to help provide comprehensive protection. “The DBD Vaccine currently has been recommended by medical associations and can be given to the 6-45 years age group. But we need to consult a health professional first before getting the vaccine.”
“Langkah Bersama Cegah DBD” was held for the first time in Jakarta, on November 5, 2023, involving more than 5,000 public participants, and succeeded in setting a record for the Museum Records Indonesia (MURI) as a community education activity with the most commitment signatures: 2,500 people. “Langkah Bersama Cegah DBD” in Surabaya attended by 10,000 participants. (*)