MELAKA: The Health Ministry plans to extend the use of drone technology at state health departments nationwide in efforts to control dengue outbreaks.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the use of drone technology could help detect Aedes mosquitoes’ breeding grounds more effectively, especially at high points including rooftops.

He said the allocation to purchase the drones could be sought through provisions in Budget 2019.

“I admit that the use of drones to detect Aedes mosquito breeding grounds is something new and the device can be purchased at RM20,000 per unit.

“I am confident that with the additional allocation, the state health departments should be able to afford the drones,” he told reporters after launching a gotong-royong programme to fight Aedes mosquitoes yesterday.

On a related matter, Dr Dzulkefly said dengue cases in the country dropped 17% to 62,974 cases as compared to last year – from January to early November.

He said dengue deaths also showed a decline to 108 cases as compared to 162 last year.

Dr Dzulkefly attributed the drop to ongoing efforts in promoting public awareness on the danger of the mosquitoes and precautionary measures such as the Communi­cation For Behavioural Impact (Combi) programme.

“So far, a total of 3,082 Combi prog­rammes have been implemented nationwide with the involvement of 63,000 volunteers,” he said, adding that the programme will work with residents’ committees. — Bernama