The Ministry of Health and Medical Services continues in its efforts to address communicable diseases through different initiatives.

It is working in partnership with the Lautoka City Council’s Health Department and Advisory Counsellors to improve waste disposal in populated rural areas by placing compost bins.

The ministry has identified the need to work with the Lautoka City Council for awareness and training on addressing the prevention of diseases.

The target areas for this project are the Koroipita Low-Cost Housing, Tomuka Settlement and Delaisaweni Settlement.

So far 11 compost bins have been placed in the Koroipita Low-Cost housing.

This will benefit the 400 households in the area.  Further to this, 11 community leaders representing their respective housing blocks and other members of the community participated in training and awareness on proper waste management practices.

With the recent dengue outbreak, it had been noted that a number of dengue like illness was reported from certain communities within Lautoka where illegal dumping of rubbish occurred.

Hence the installation of compost bins will encourage proper disposal of rubbish as rubbish discarded carelessly caters as a potential breeding site for dengue mosquitoes.

The ministry urges the public to dispose of rubbish and other waste material wisely as this will contribute towards a clean and hygienic environment and help reduce mosquito-borne diseases.

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