In a coordinated effort to combat mosquito-borne diseases, a multi-agency task force has conducted a sweeping five-day inspection of hundreds of premises across the greater Male’ region.
The operation, which ran from 19 to 23 April, resulted in the identification and destruction of numerous potential mosquito breeding grounds.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in collaboration with the Male’ City Council, Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Maldivian Red Crescent, Hulhumale’ Hospital, and Villimale’ Hospital. Inspectors targeted a wide range of locations, including active construction sites, residential buildings, and unused vacant properties.
A total of 308 premises were meticulously searched. The operation covered 153 sites in Male’, 83 in Hulhumale’, 59 in Villimale’, 12 in Thilafushi, and one location in Gulhifalhu. The HPA reported that teams discovered and destroyed many sites confirmed to be conducive to mosquito breeding. The most common sources were found to be water storage containers such as barrels and tanks, as well as discarded construction materials, tires, and plastic bottles left outdoors where rainwater could collect.
The primary objective of the large-scale inspection was to proactively identify and eliminate these hazardous environments to reduce the incidence of mosquito borne diseases. The participating institutions have affirmed their commitment to continuing this collaborative work to ensure a safer public living environment and have indicated that similar inspections will be conducted in the future.
In light of the findings, the HPA has reiterated its urgent appeal to all residents and businesses to remain vigilant. The public has been urged to cooperate by eliminating sources of stagnant water, maintaining clean surroundings, and actively destroying any potential mosquito breeding sites on their properties.