I refer to the latest round of advertisements initiated by the ministry of health concerning the grave situation that has been arising in our seemingly losing battle against dengue and the Aedes mosquitoes.

I am bitterly disappointed over the insipid manner the message is being conveyed to the public. I doubt not many people will be motivated enough to get up from their weekend resting chairs while watching their favourite programmes go look for Aedes breeding places.

How about displaying this message - ‘45,000 cases of confirmed dengue cases and 100 death this year alone! Ignore Aedes breeding grounds at your own peril!’?

The above data was a shocking piece of information released by the ministry of health last week. But the government and the ministry’s response is one of apathy and utter disappointment.

One reason I could think of over the ministry’s lack of interest in our battle with the Aedes mosquitoes is that the ministry is currently too engrossed in its effort to privatise the National Health Institute (IJN).

In summary, I would like to advise the health minister and his ministry to place emphasis where it deserves and to act fast.

Otherwise, the next victim could be someone related to you.