THE Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) Penang branch has called on the people of Penang to practise regular habits of cleaning not only their homes but also their surroundings to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
Chai Leng Park COMBI chairman M. Turaisingam told Buletin Mutiara today that while cleanliness remains one of COMBI’s objectives, the organisation is also focused on instilling togetherness among the people, especially during outdoor activities to curb the spread of dengue cases through mosquito breeding.
“As much as we are here to assist communities in preventing mosquito breeding around or inside their homes, it is equally important for them to work together to create a sustainable system to see to this issue.
“We encourage each family to adopt the practice of cleaning, spotting and destroying potential mosquito breeding spots at home or outside for 10 minutes daily.
“If you can go beyond 10 minutes, that’s great, but try to not go less than 10 minutes.
“Our (COMBI) key functions include spreading health awareness messages, working closely with state government agencies, both the local councils, PDRM and others to organise community projects, such as ‘gotong-royong’ and so on.
“If help is needed at any given time, people can reach out to COMBI and we will do the needful,” Turaisingam told Buletin Mutiara in an interview in George Town today.
COMBI is a worldwide organisation established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2001, and is a dynamic approach that uses social mobilisation and communication strategy to influence behaviour change among individuals, families and communities on cleanliness.
It was then introduced here in Penang in 2006 under the supervision of the state Health Department.
COMBI Penang is expanded throughout all five districts in the state.
For those interested to know more and wish to be a COMBI member, you may visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064878452487.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by G. Revatic