‘Stop diseases’ – an islandwide programme to curb mosquito borne diseases was launched to mark the 25th anniversary of Mortein Benckiser which is involved in marketing of household protection products.
Speaking at the function, Reckitt Benckiser Managing Director, Rahul Murgai said that as a responsible corporate citizen it has an obligation to look after the public heath from pest borne diseases.
Comprehensive consumer education programmes have been conducted at a considerable investment by the company. “This has paid dividends as we see the consumer confidence we have built up over the years. Though we sell household protection products, our dream is to see that Sri Lanka become a dengue-free country in the near future,” he said.
Dengue fever is potentially fatal and has affected more than 70,000 people and killed over 500 in Sri Lanka since January 2009.
Mortein launched a national public awareness programmes aimed at the eradication of all Mosquito borne diseases. Operation ‘Red Alert’ launched in 2007 in over 240 locations islandwide made considerable headway in educating the public on preventing mosquito borne diseases, the company said.
Student Leaders Against Mosquitoes (SLAM) a programme launched together with the Ministry of Health and Education has paid dividends. “We have seen a marked drop in the number of cases this year. This programme covers 130 locations and 25 National Schools. In 2010 the Mortein’s STOP disease programme was activated in over 200 locations providing basic preventative measures,’ said Mr Murgai.
Mortein is the first, large-scale, locally manufactured mosquito coil on a large scale. |
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