Hon. Minister to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation has agreed to launch a special program to use of Drone Technology and Leading Technologies for the Prevention of Dengue menace. The first discussion in this regard was held at the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Technology and Innovation Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala. The objective of the discussion was to establish a principle policy agreement between the two parties on the practical steps, which could be taken to create a country free from Dengue.Hon. Minister to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation has agreed to launch a special program to use of Drone Technology and Leading Technologies for the Prevention of Dengue menace. The first discussion in this regard was held at the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Technology and Innovation Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala. The objective of the discussion was to establish a principle policy agreement between the two parties on the practical steps, which could be taken to create a country free from Dengue.
Speaking further Mr. Sumathipala said, “We can provide our technical assistance time to time to eradicate dengue. The main objective of this program is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in order to curb it. Arthur C. Clark Institute for Modern Technologies, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology and other research institutes including Industrial Technology Institute would provide a leading support of latest technologies. As a national project, we will engage more important parties. We are also encouraging researchers to develop a technical tool to perform a low-cost test to detect dengue virus, and to carry out scientific research on dengue mosquitoes, including mosquito repellent for clothing. Funding for research on eradicating Dengue should not be an issue when the potential harm to human lives caused by the Dengue is taken into consideration. We fully support research grants on this as well. The label “Dengue Free Country” is very important for the development of our tourism industry. ”
Despite various efforts being made by the Ministry of Health to control the dengue menace, the dengue epidemic is emerging from time to time, so it is important to use the technical expertise of the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation to create a systematic program to control it. It was also revealed that these national issues are more effective and easier to achieve with parties involved together to share their knowledge on these nationally important issues, rather than having different parties individually worked.
The possibility of using Video and photo reports via drone technology was discussed with more focus on subject like technical issues caused by speed of the wind, access issues caused by the public and private institutions like schools, religious places, construction sites and sites associated with the spread of dengue. Creating a Geographical Information System to Generate Maps, mosquito attracted to a specific spot through Nano Technology and mosquito-breeding methods were among special topics discussed at this meeting.
The Minister also instructed to formulate a special committee for this project. Mr. Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Secretary to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Director General of Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Mr. Sanath Panawannage, Mr. Manju Gunawardena from Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Officers from Provincial Health Services Director's Office and National Dengue Eradication Unit, doctors and public health inspectors on behalf of the Ministry of Health were present.
