Jammu, May 18:
In a major push for public health preparedness ahead of the monsoon season, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu has successfully concluded a comprehensive three-day awareness and community outreach campaign to mark National Dengue Day.
Operating under the national theme, “Community Participation in Dengue Control: Check, Clean, and Cover,” the mega-drive united multiple specialized departments—including Community Medicine, Family Medicine, General Medicine, and Microbiology—to combat the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
A Day-by-Day Breakdown of the AIIMS Initiative
The three-day campaign focused on a multi-pronged approach: youth education, active source reduction, patient counseling, and academic rigor.
Day 1 (May 14): Catching Them Young & Source Elimination
The campaign kicked off with a dual focus on education and direct action:
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School Outreach: A specialized team from the Department of Community Medicine, partnering with the District Health Society, visited the Government Middle School in Jhang. Students and staff received hands-on sensitization regarding mosquito breeding control, the proper use of repellents, and personal protective measures.
- Sanitation Drive: Simultaneously, a rigorous source reduction drive was launched across the AIIMS Jammu residential complex. Teams actively scanned the area to identify and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites, clearing stagnant water from flowerpots, containers, and unused spaces.
Day 2 (May 15): Patient and Public Sensitization
The focus shifted to the medical campus to leverage high foot-traffic areas:
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OPD & AYUSH Briefings: Faculty members and medical residents took over the Main OPD and AYUSH Blocks to educate hundreds of patients and their attendants.
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Spotting the Warning Signs: The public was educated on critical dengue symptoms, including:
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High-grade fever
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Severe body aches
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Retro-orbital pain (pain behind the eyes)
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Immediate red-flag warning signs requiring urgent hospitalization
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- The Golden Rule: Citizens were urged to adopt the “Check, Clean, and Cover” protocol—regularly inspecting their surroundings, cleaning water storage units, and keeping all water sources tightly sealed.
Day 3 (May 16): Preparing the Next Generation of Doctors
The final day tested the clinical acumen of the institution’s future frontline healthcare workers:
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MBBS Quiz Competition: A high-stakes quiz was organized for undergraduate medical students.
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Core Focus: The competition tested and sharpened the students’ knowledge on dengue diagnosis, clinical management, epidemiological control, and public health preparedness.
Leadership Speak: A Call for Collective Responsibility
Speaking on the culmination of the event, Prof. (Dr.) D. N. Sharma, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, highly commended the inter-departmental collaboration and issued a vital advisory for the upcoming months.
“Community participation, awareness, and timely preventive measures are the strongest tools in controlling the spread of dengue. Every citizen must remain vigilant, especially during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, by maintaining strict cleanliness and preventing water stagnation in and around their surroundings.”
— Prof. (Dr.) D. N. Sharma, ED & CEO
The Bottom Line
The three-day initiative wrapped up with a clear, resounding message: public health cannot be protected by hospitals alone. Defeating dengue requires active, daily participation from every single member of the community.
Quick Tips: How to “Check, Clean, and Cover”
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Check: Look for standing water in coolers, flowerpots, old tires, and open containers once a week.
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Clean: Scrub the insides of water storage containers thoroughly to destroy mosquito eggs.
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Cover: Ensure all household water drums, tanks, and buckets are tightly sealed with lids.
