UMSNING : An awareness programme-cum-source reduction drive was organised at Umsning Market under Umsning Community Health Centre (CHC) on Tuesday to raise awareness about vector-borne diseases and prevent mosquito breeding.
The programme was organised by the District Malaria Officer in collaboration with the Ri Bhoi Area Welfare Association (RAWA).
The programme was hosted by RAWA president Kong Balakyntiew Umbah and attended by Umsning Town Dorbar chairman Bah Rocky Kylla and District Vector-Borne Disease (DVBD) Consultant, Ri Bhoi, Bah Pynshailang Kharkongor.
Also present were Bah Mut Kharbuki, MTS, Umsning Block, RAWA secretary Samuel Shangdiar, members of RAWA, shopkeepers and other participants.
During the awareness session, Bah Pynshailang Kharkongor spoke about the causes, transmission and prevention of vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue.
He urged residents and shopkeepers to remain vigilant and maintain cleanliness in and around their homes and workplaces. He also stressed the importance of regularly checking for stagnant water and removing potential mosquito breeding sites.
As part of the initiative, sanitation tools and protective equipment, including khoh, brooms, raincoats and gloves, were handed over to sanitation personnel at Umsning Market to support regular cleaning and source reduction activities.
Following the awareness programme, the team inspected different parts of the market and identified potential mosquito breeding sites where dengue-transmitting mosquitoes could breed.
The inspection highlighted the need for regular source reduction and proper sanitation measures to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases in the area.
Bah Pynshailang urged shopkeepers, sanitation workers and members of the public to take collective responsibility for eliminating mosquito breeding sites and maintaining a clean environment.
He emphasised that preventing dengue and other vector-borne diseases requires the active participation of everyone, pointing out that even small collections of stagnant water can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The programme concluded with a call for continued cooperation among the health department, RAWA, the market community and the general public to ensure a cleaner, healthier and safer environment at Umsning Market.