Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the ministry had no problem in cooperating with the state health agency, even though the state was under DAP administration.
“The Health director-general has also come (to Penang) for a meeting with the State Health Department to find a solution for the rise in dengue cases here,” he told reporters after an Aidilfitri contribution presentation ceremony with special children here Thursday.
Based on state health committee records, Penang recorded an increase in dengue cases of up to 175 per cent with 1,017 cases from January to July 12, compared with 370 cases during the same period last year.
Hilmi said health problems should not involve politics and cooperation between the ministry and local government was important in ensuring the problem was resolved.
Meanwhile, he urged the public to cooperate with health officers conducting fogging at various locations.
Hilmi said house owners should allow the officers to carry out fogging inside the house as it aimed to kill Aedes mosquitoes.
“External fogging is not enough because mosquitoes will hide in the home when it is being done,” he added.
He also advised the people to keep their homes clean and avoid water from collecting.
A two-month campaign to fight Aedes, which began yesterday, will not succeed without help from the public, he said.
— BERNAMA
