MORTEIN “STOP DISEASES” combats Dengue island-wide
November 30, 2010 10:28 pm
* Awareness created among over million people
Mortein, rated as ‘Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Household Insecticides Brand’ (as per Market Research Data) recently concluded the National Dengue Education and Awareness Program, “Mortein Stop Diseases” for the 4th consecutive year reaching over a million individuals in 200 cities.
“Mortein Stop Diseases” awareness campaign was initiated in early June this year, with the escalating impact and increase of the dengue battle, the company devised a cohesive implementation campaign in creating a Dengue free environment in the country.
The campaign took toll from Western, Central, South, North Central provinces covering over 200 main towns across the country. This was a collaborative effort by the Provincial Council, Municipal Council, Urban Council and the voluntary police units, through multiple communication avenues and awareness building plus environment cleaning campaigns.
The Managing Director of Reckitt Benckiser, Reazul Chowdhury speaking on the Company’s ‘Mortein Stop Diseases’ community awareness and education campaign said, “We initiated the project during a period in which there was an escalation and spread of the disease. Mortein which has a close relationship with the Sri Lankan market over a quarter of a century came forward to control this menace as a responsible corporate citizen. We are pleased about the success rate with our campaign within the Colombo city limits and suburbs. Mortein has undertaken different initiatives to educate the consumer on how best they can prevent all mosquito borne diseases. I would like to applaud our team, government official’s residents of Colombo for the enthusiasm shown for the campaign”.
Surangi Fernando Product Group Manager commenting on the Dengue awareness campaign stated that it commenced during the Poson festival in Anuradhapura, and Katharagama, where over a million people gathered and were educated on disease prevention.
Due to the large crowds gathering for the season, the quantity of garbage too increased substantially, the awareness campaign was able to speak to these individuals and collectively a cleaning program was also conducted. The awareness campaign saw the Provincial Council, Municipal Council and the Urban Council synching together with the objective of eradicating the Dengue menace. During the Dengue Preventive Week the program was carried out in communities in Colombo District which reported the highest number of deaths due to Dengue fever.
The team actively distributed leaflets, stickers and also Mortein Coil samples amongst heavily populated areas, such as housing schemes, bus stations, markets and religious institutes. Reaching out by communicating the prevention possibilities, many banners, posters and notices, plus live updates on radio were shared. Further strengthening the support, the Mortein team with the help of the government officials was actively involved in destroying potential breeding grounds around the Colombo District.
Speaking on the mechanism of the initiative, Marketing Director of Reckitt Benckiser, Zakaria Ahmed noted, “We are pleased to see the results of this mammoth community project, we will continue to serve our nation in the future days, spreading awareness about diseases which can be controlled, through concentrated effort”.
Over the past four years, Mortein has spent over Rs 20 million in initiatives to drive awareness on both protection and prevention of mosquito borne diseases. Through numerous community programs, Mortein has educated the consumer on how to control the spread of such diseases.
In 2007, Mortein carried out a Dengue awareness programme; ‘Operation Red Alert’ in over 240 locations island wide. In 2008, the highly successful Mortein SLAM [Student Leaders Against Mosquitoes] programme was carried out in association with the Ministries of Health and Education, covering 130 locations and 25 National schools. 2009 had the mobile team educating the nation using drama, reaching thousands daily. Reckitt Benckiser (RB) is a global force in household, health and personal care, delivering ever better solutions to consumers.
Photo caption: The Mortein team educating the crowds on the prevention of mosquito breeding in the Colombo district.