RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN regional cooperation to address the surge in dengue cases that threaten the health of communities in Southeast Asia.
"Dengue infection in the ASEAN region remains a public health problem. Therefore, collaboration between ASEAN countries is crucial to strengthen dengue control efforts," said Prima Yosephine, Director of Infectious Diseases at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, in a press statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
According to her, the regional forum provides a platform for ASEAN countries to share experiences, strategies, and best practices in dengue control. As host, the Ministry of Health encourages the forum to produce concrete recommendations that can be implemented in ASEAN regional policies.
"Dengue control cannot be achieved alone. We need collective, integrated, and sustainable measures to achieve optimal results," she said.
Prima emphasized that dengue control must include environmental control, mosquito vector control, and comprehensive community protection. Indonesia also encouraged other ASEAN countries to set a common target to reduce the impact of dengue in the region.
"This will allow us to achieve the goal of zero dengue-related deaths by 2030. We hope ASEAN regional solidarity will strengthen, producing targeted collective action to address the transnational threat of dengue," Prima concluded.
Asnawi Abdullah, head of the Health Development Policy Agency at the Ministry of Health, said that dengue fever knows no borders. This is because the disease occurs in regions with similar climates.
"This factor requires a national response along with collective leadership, policy alignment, and sustainable regional cooperation. In 2024, Indonesia will face various challenges, such as climate change, storms, and the El Niño phenomenon, which will cause dengue cases to rise to their highest levels," Asnawi said. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)
News Recomendation
Loading latest news.....