The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has criticized the Health Ministry’s response to the growing threat of dengue, warning that the country could face a rapid increase in cases amid changing weather patterns and heavy rainfall.

GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said rising mosquito breeding indicators had raised concerns about a possible resurgence of dengue, particularly in the Eastern, Northern, North Central and Uva provinces.“Entomological data has revealed an upward trend in Breteau indices, which indicates an increase in both mosquito density and the density of mosquito larvae. This serves as a clear warning sign that we may soon see a resurgence of dengue and an increase in the number of patients,” he said.

Dr. Wijesinghe said intermittent heavy rainfall over the past two to three weeks, together with the onset of the Northeast Monsoon, could create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding and the spread of dengue.He alleged that the Health Ministry had failed to implement a comprehensive, long-term national program to eliminate dengue, arguing that authorities continued to respond mainly after cases increased or rainfall intensified.“There is little evidence of such an initiative being driven by the Ministry of Health. Currently, the response is largely reactive, triggered only when the number of dengue cases spikes or rainfall intensifies,” he said.

He added that issuing media statements, asking the public to clean their surroundings and conducting short-term cleanup campaigns would not be sufficient to eradicate dengue.“The solution does not lie merely in counting the number of dengue patients or fatalities, nor in conducting a one- or two-day cleanup drive around homes, gardens, office premises, drains or the immediate surroundings,” he said.Dr. Wijesinghe called for a comprehensive national-level programme to address the dengue threat on a sustained basis, rather than relying on temporary measures during periods of increased transmission.

He also urged the public to take continuous action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in homes, gardens, workplaces, schools and religious premises.“Remain vigilant and keep a constant watch to see if new breeding sites emerge. Only by doing this can you and your loved ones protect your lives from this deadly dengue threat,” he said.