1

FIGHT DENGUE FOR PAYAL CAMPAIGN

Collaborative programme between

VHAI AND SC JOHNSON PRODUCTS PRIVATE LIMITED (SCJ)

Voluntary Health Association of India

(VHAI) partnering with SC Johnson

products private Limited, India (SCJ)

launched a campaign to fight Dengue.

The primary objective of the campaign

was to spread awareness amongst

communities and to reach out to the

larger sections of the society.

Dengue being a seasonal disease, the

project was a short term one, however it

aimed to sustain and create a long term

impact. The campaign/project was

designed for two months i.e. October and

November 2013, with a target of reaching

out to 10 schools and 10 RWAs in the city

of New Delhi.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral Infection transmitted by the bite of an

infected female Aedes Aegypti. Its incubation period is 5 – 6 days. Dengue

occurs in two forms, namely, Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

(DHF), the latter is more severe and fatal. Therefore a person infected with

dengue has to be constantly kept under supervision and her/his condition

monitored so that it does not progress into the stage of DHF. Aedes is a

daytime feeder, peak biting periods are early morning and in the evening

2

before dusk. With the absence of any vaccine to cure dengue, prevention and

control remains the sole method to fight Dengue.

According to the survey by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program,

in 2013, Delhi has been identified as the worst affected state in the nation.

Considering this situation that our nation is facing we rolled out our campaign

to fight against Dengue. The content of the Campaign/ Project focussed on the

analysis of:

(i) What is Dengue

(ii) Types of Dengue

(iii) The mode of transmission

(iv) Favoured breeding places

(v) Favoured time of biting

(vi) Signs and symptoms

(vii) Actions to be taken to prevent and control Dengue at individual level,

at household level, at school level and at the community level.

The project activities involvedcollaboration with the MCD Public Health

Officials, creating awareness in schools and RWAs. The collaboration with the

MCD provided us with the latest statistics, the worst affected and vulnerable

areas where we could intervene. Under this project VHAI team could reached

out to areas worst affected and where there was high prevalence of dengue

across Delhi.

Key activities comprised the following:

Awareness Programmes in Schools - through interactive activities such as poster making, quiz, nukkad natak (theatre), lecture/talk, presentation, etc.

Awareness programmes in RWAs - through collaboration with district health officials, MCD departments and community leaders, talk by a technical expert, nukkad natak, refreshment.

3

FIGHT DENGUE FOR PAYAL

SCHOOLEVENTS

Considering the pressing health emergency of dengue facing our nation right

now, VHAI and SC Johnson products private Limited, India (SCJ) launched a

dengue awareness campaign in India. The program was launched with the

main objective of spreading awareness on prevention and control of dengue

amongst communities and schools. There are certain diseases which

unfortunately we do not have the control or the ability to limit their spread.

However, dengue as a disease is one which can be controlled with certain

preventive and precautionary measures. Therefore, the project aimed to move

forward with spreading awareness as its primary objective.

Under this project, VHAI organised awareness campaigns in schools across

Delhi which are public, private, Government aided and MCD schools. The

program activities included street play, quiz competition, and talk by a

technical expert followed by an interactive session which provided a platform

where children could clear their queries.

The following are the list of schools that we have reached out to:

Name, number of schools, location and the number of

students:

No. Date Name of School Location No. of students

1. 24/10/13 Anglo Sanskrit School Darya Ganj, Central Delhi

125

2. 9/11/13 Father Agnel school Gautam nagar, South Delhi

180

3. 13/11/13 Air Force School Race Course, Central Delhi

250

4. 19/11/13 Deepalaya School Kalkaji extension, South Delhi

200

4

5. 21/11/13 Florence Public school Mayur Vihar, East Delhi

192

6. 22/11/13 Sarvodaya kanya Vidyalaya

Sangam Vihar, South Delhi

448

7. 23/11/13 St. Johns School Mehrauli, South Delhi

135

8. 25/11/13 Sai Satya Sai School Govindpuri Kalkaji extension, South Delhi

275

9. 29/11/13 Stepping stone convent school

Mayur Vihar, Phase I, East Delhi

197

10. 30/11/13 Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya

Trilokpuri, East Delhi 503

TOTAL 2505

The response and the feedback from the students and teachers that we have

received from each school have been very positive and satisfactory. They

extended their full support and corporation for the cause of the campaign with

the promise that the messages and the objective of the campaign be

disseminated. The target audience of the campaign is students of the age

group of 13 – 15yrs, i.e. classes (8-10)

BRIEF REPORT OF EACH SCHOOL THAT WERE BEING COVERED

1. Anglo Sanskrit VJ Senior Secondary School located at Darya Ganj, Central

Delhi.

Dr. Pramesh Chandra Bhatnagar was the resource person who is Medical

Professional with specialization in Public Health working in the field of

Health & Development for more than 25 years. Presently he is working as

Director, Communicable Diseases with Voluntary Health Association of

India. The talk by the resource person was followed by an interaction and

quiz competition. The students participated the program with a great zeal

and enthusiasm.

5

Winners of the quiz competition and teachers who joined their hands in

running the campaign successfully

2. Father Agnel School located at Gautam Nagar, South Delhi.

The event was opened with the street play team on the theme of

dengue followed by the interactive session which was carried out by Dr.

P.C. Bhatnagar. There were a lot of questions asked by these students

that were addressed by the resource person.

Dr.Bhatnagar addressing and interacting with the students

3. Air Force Senior Secondary School located at Race Course, Central Delhi.

Using street play as the medium of spreading awareness and messages

was well appreciated by the students and teachers of the school. They

thanked the street play team and the Resource person Dr. Bhatnagar for

6

enlightening the students with information on dengue and its preventive

measures.

Street play team performance

4. Deepalaya School located at kalkaji Extension, South Delhi.

During the session there was an active participation from students and

teachers. They showed their support for the cause of the campaign.

There was the street play performance followed by Dr. Bhatnagar who

again gave additional information.

7

5. Florence Public School located at Mayur Vihar Phase I, East Delhi.

Resource person Dr. Bhatnagar’s engaging and interactive talk created a

comfort a level with the students who were initially apprehensive in

raising question. The two way interaction method provided a better

understanding of the topic of discussion and also this made the students

more receptive with the cause of the campaign.

6. Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya located at Sangam Vihar, South Delhi.

This school is located at a very interior area, so the principal, staff and

the students expressed their gratitude for reaching out to them. The

student’s participation was commendable with many questions coming

from the students which were addressed by Dr.Dalvir singh who is a

State Epidemiologist from the Directorate of Health Services. The

innovative medium of using street play as the source of spreading the

message was well appreciated.

8

Students’ participation in the campaign

7. St. John’s school located at Mehrauli, South Delhi.

This year in Delhi, Mehrauli has been identified as one of the worst

affected area by dengue. Among the students there were so many who

got infected. The students promised that the messages and the

information received will be shared with their parents, peers and to their

communities. The students thoroughly enjoyed the street play

performance.

9

8. Sai Sathya Sai located at Govindpuri, Kalkaji Extension, South Delhi

The program activity included the street play performance, resource

person’s talk and followed by an interactive session. To ensure that the

objective of the campaign was fulfilled, with the support from the school

staffs, the students participated in the campaign were asked to prepare

a project report on Dengue.

The Vice Principal extending her support, gratitude and thanking the

team from VHAI

9. Stepping Stone Convent School located at Mayur Vihar, East Delhi.

The program activity included the doctor’s speech and followed by an

interactive session and quiz competition. Interaction with the students

and the quiz competition served as a method of cross checking on how

far the messages were received by the students

10

Students participating in the quiz

10. Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya located at Trilokpuri, East Delhi.

The students and teachers participated with great zeal and enthusiasm

and addressed their queries and questions to the resource person. They

shared their ideas and also cleared various myths around Dengue that

they had. The students and the teachers well appreciated our effort and

the initiative that has been undertaken

Teachers and students participation in the campaig

11

FIGHT DENGUE FOR PAYAL

RWA EVENTS, NEW DELHI

Under this project, VHAI in collaboration with SCJ organised awareness

campaigns in select Residents Welfare Associations across Delhi. The program

activities included street plays, puppet shows and talk by a technical expert

followed by an interactive session which provided a platform where the

residents could get an opportunities to resolve their doubts and queries.

During the course of program, following Residents Welfare Associations have

been reached out and received the useful information in relation to Dengue &

its concern phenomenon.

No. Date Name of School Location No. of students

1. 2/11/13 Kali Bari Marg Kali Bari Marg,Central Delhi

72

2. 10/11/13

Tanisq Apartment Mehrauli, South Delhi

110

3. 10/11/13 Kohinoor Apartment Kalkaji Extension, South Delhi

116

4. 13/11/13 Najafgarh Barat Ghar, Old Roshanpura, Najafgarh, South West Delhi

105

5. 13/11/13 Loknayak Puram Mundka

Loknayak Puram, West Delhi

125

6. 21/11/13 Gokul shah Sita Ram Bazar, Near Turkman Gate, Central Delhi

193

7. 23/11/13 Welcome colony Shahadra North East Delhi

103

8. 30/11/2013 Kalka Ji RWA Community Centre, DDA Flats, Kalka Ji

93

9. 02/12/2013 Karol Bagh Community Centre, Dev Nagar, Karol

109

12

Bagh

10. 06/12/2013 Sector 10, Dwaraka Shiv Mandir, Sector-10, Dwaraka

106

TOTAL 1132

To gauge the overall impact of program, the feedback of Presidents, Secretary,

Treasurer and other members have been taken after the completion of each

event and it was shared by them that the contents, methodology and

presentation was very effective and informative. Almost all the Resident

Welfare Association have requested to the Fight Dengue Team to again visit

their area and organize such an event on other seasonal diseases.

The activate participation of women and children have been seen in almost all

the events which indicates that their interest and sensitivity towards the issue.

BRIEF REPORT OF EACH RESIDENT WELFARE ASSOCIATION THAT WERE

COVERED

1. Resident Welfare Association, Kali Bari Marg, District –Central, New

Delhi.

It was the first event organized with Resident Welfare Association at

Community Park, Kali Bari Marg, Central Delhi. The event was attended by

more than 70 individuals. At the outset of the program, an introduction

about the program and its objectives was shared by the Field Coordinator.

After that Dr. Dalveer Singh Senior Epidemiologist, Directorate of Health

Services, Govt. of NCT of Delhi shared about the disease and its impact of

human lives. Further the Resource Person explained the do’s and don’ts

about the disease. He advised the participants to extend their full

cooperation and support to the Domestic Bleeding Checkers of MCD and

other professional to control the disease.

Finally the event was ended with the vote of the thanks to the respected

Residents for providing the opportunity to organize the program.

13

2. Resident Welfare Association, Tanishq Apartment, Mehruali, District-

South, New Delhi:

During the course of meeting with the Deputy Health Inspector, South

Zone, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, it was observed that the

prevalence of dengue has high in Mehrauli Area, therefore VHAI took

the decision to organize an event in the particular area.

In this connection, the Field Coordinators visited the area and met with

the President of Tanishqu Apartment. The team shared their objective

with him and requested for his cooperation and support.

On 10th Nov. 2013, the event was organized at the above mentioned

venue which was attended by 110 persons. After the introductory

remark, the street play team performed on the concern issue which had

been enjoyed and appreciated by all the participants. In addition, Dr.

P.C. Bhatnagar also enlighten them about the disease and its preventive

aspects. Since, it was an informative program which was organized for

the first time in their society therefore, they came up with number of

questions and seemed satisfied with the answers given by Dr. Bhatnagar.

14

The event was concluded with the vote of thanks to the residents

3. Resident Welfare Association, Kohinoor Apartment, Kalka Ji Extension,

District- South, New Delhi:

Before commencement of the event, a round of mobilization of the

entire colony was done by Field Coordinators, street play group and

some of the residents. The purpose of this activity was to ensure the

participation of maximum residents in the program.

The event was organized on 10th Nov. 2013 at the above mentioned

venue. Under which more than 115 individuals participated. The

program was inaugurated by the Area Counsellor and he has expressed

his sincere thanks to VHAI to organize the event in their area. After the

round of introduction, the street play group has performed a play on the

concerned theme which was appreciated by all participants. Following

the street play performance, the Resource Person Dr. D. V. Singh has

shared the current scenario of disease. He also shared the steps which

should be taken in connection to decrease the impact of the disease. At

15

the end of the event, the sample products have also been given to the

residents along with refreshment.

Finally, the Presidents of the Resident Welfare Association shared the

vote of thanks to the VHAI for organizing such a event in their area.

4. Resident Welfare Association, Najafgarh, District, South West, New

Delhi:

The event was organized on 13th Nov. 2013 at Community Centre,

Najafgarh which more than 100 participants. The active participation of

women was observed during the event. Ms. Chandra Ramakrishan,

Programme Manager, VHAI welcomed all participants, special Guest Dr.

Arun Chauhan Epidemiologist, Najafgarh Zone, Municipal Corporation of

Delhi and Dr. D. V. Singh, Senior Epidemiologist, Directorate of Health

Services, Govt. of NCT of Delhi. The street play group gave a rivetting

performance on the theme which was entertained by participants and

16

resource persons as well. After that Dr. Arun Chauhan has shared his

message with demonstration which was followed by the Dr. B.V. Singh.

The event ended with a vote of thanks of the members of RWA, Dr. Arun

Chauhan and residents.

5. Resident Welfare Association, Loknayak Puram, District- West, New

Delhi:

The event was organized with 125 individuals on 13th Nov, 2013 at

Community Centre, Loknayak Puram. A gross root organization namely

Care Village Foundation extended their support in relation to mass

mobilization and management of the event. After the introductions, the

street play group has given their performance which was enjoyed and

appreciated by the individuals. In addition, Dr. D. V. Singh Resource

Person also enlighten the community about the disease and its

preventive aspects. There were lots of questions asked by the Residents

about the disease and its relation aspects.

The event ended with a vote of thanks to the concern authorise and

respected residents.

17

6. Resident Welfare Association, Gokul Shah, Dilli Gate, District- Central,

Delhi:

The event was organized on 23rd Nov, 2013 at Community Centre, Gokul

Shah, Dilli Gate which was attended by 193 Individuals. Besides

members of Residents Welfare Association, the Area Counsellor, Malaria

Inspector and Representative of Deputy Commissioner Office were

presented in the event. The program was started by a welcome note to

the Area Counsellor and other present members. The Malaria Inspector

shared the status of his area during the event and taken the feedback of

the community in regard to the services rendered to for the dengue

prevention. He also shared the details of hospitals where the testing

and dengue cases have been conducted. After that Dr. Farah has put

forth her comments about the disease and asked the community

members to take necessary steps to prevent the disease. At the end of

the program the sample received from Edealmen were also distributed

along with refreshment.

The program ended with the vote of thanks to the Area Counsellor,

Malaria Inspector and Members of Residents Welfare Association.

18

7. Resident Welfare Association, Welcome, District, North East, New

Delhi:

The event was organized in a Hall at Welcome Colony which was

attended by more than 100 participants. The Field Coordinator

welcomed all participants and shared the objective of the program.

Following this, the Street Play Group gave their performance which was

enjoyed and appreciated by all. After that Dr. B. V. Singh Resource

Person has shared the basics about the disease and ask the residents to

extend their full cooperation & support to the domestic breeding

inspectorsfrom the corporation. The program was ended with the vote

of the thanks to the members of Residents Welfare Association.

19

8. Resident Welfare Association, D.D.A. Flats, Kalka Ji, District, South,

New Delhi:

The event was organized on 30th Nov, 2013 at Community Centre, DDA

Flats, Kalkaji which was attended by 93 individuals. The participation of

women & girls was good and enthusiastic. The activities were started

with the introduction about the project shared by the Field Coordinator.

After that the street play group gave their performance. Dr. D. V. Singh,

resource person, enlighten the participants about the disease and its

various aspects and asked the members to extend their cooperation &

support to MCD, Delhi Jal Board and other Health Officials.

The event was ended with the vote of thanks to respected members of

Residents welfare Association.

20

9. Resident Welfare Association, Dev Nagar, Karol Bagh, District, Central,

New Delhi:

The program was organized on 2nd Dec, 2013 at Community Centre, Dev

Nagar, Karol Bagh which was attended by 109 participants. The active

participation of women & girls was observed there. The program activity

included a talk by the technical expert followed by Street Play

Performance on the theme. Interaction with the members of RWA and

Resource Person indicated the acceptance of the program.

The event ended with the vote of thanks to the Members of Residents

Welfare Association.

21

10. Resident Welfare Association, Sec-10, Dwaraka, District, South West,

New Delhi:

The event was organized with 106 individuals on 6th Dec, 2013 at Shiv

Mandir, Sec-10, Dwaraka. A grassroot organization extended its

cooperation and support in mass mobilization and management of the

event. After the introduction of the program, the street play group has

given their performance which was followed by a puppet show on the

theme of dengue prevention. The performance was enjoyed and

appreciated by all participants. After that Dr. Kalyani Misra, Resource

Person also enlightened the community about the disease and its

preventive aspects. There were lots of questions asked by the Residents

about the disease and its relation aspects. The event ended with a vote

of thanks to the concern authorise and respected residents.

22

ACHIEVEMENTS

Our interventions in 10 schools and 10 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs)

have been successfully concluded with the following achievements.

Interventions in schools have been always fruitful with active

participation from the students, and the teaching staffs who joined the

campaign with a strong sense of commitment in running the campaign

successfully towards achieving its main objective.

Similarly, interventions in RWAs have also been fruitful with active

participation from the community people.

The collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the

attendance of technical experts in the field of medicine, Health officials

from MCD and Public Health Department in the campaign have

immensely contributed towards the impact of the campaign.

Students and community members were facilitated with a platform

where they could clear their queries and misconceived notions about

dengue.

Through this campaign we disseminated the preventive and

precautionary measures to control dengue to a large number of

individuals.

23

The number of schools, name of the schools and the number of the

students that we have reached out are

No. Date Name of School Location No. of students

1. 24/10/13 Anglo Sanskrit School Darya Ganj, Central Delhi

125

2. 9/11/13 Father Agnel school Gautam nagar, South Delhi

180

3. 13/11/13 Air Force School Race Course, Central Delhi

250

4. 19/11/13 Deepalaya School Kalkaji extension, South Delhi

200

5. 21/11/13 Florence Public school Mayur Vihar, East Delhi 192

6. 22/11/13 Sarvodaya kanya Vidyalaya Sangam Vihar, South Delhi

448

7. 23/11/13 St. Johns School Mehrauli, South Delhi 135

8. 25/11/13 Sai Satya Sai School Govindpuri Kalkaji extension, South Delhi

275

9. 29/11/13 Stepping stone convent school

Mayur Vihar, Phase I, East Delhi

197

10. 30/11/13 Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya Trilokpuri, East Delhi 503

TOTAL 2505

The number of RWAs, name of the RWA and the number of people

reached out are

No. Date Name of School Location No. of students

1. 2/11/13 Kali Bari Marg Kali Bari Marg,Central Delhi

72

2. 10/11/13

Tanisq Apartment Mehrauli, South Delhi 110

3. 10/11/13 Kohinoor Apartment Kalkaji Extension, South Delhi

116

4. 13/11/13 Najafgarh Barat Ghar, Old Roshanpura, Najafgarh, South West Delhi

105

5. 13/11/13 Loknayak Puram Mundka Loknayak Puram, West Delhi

125

6. 21/11/13 Gokul shah Sita Ram Bazar, Near Turkman Gate, Central Delhi

193

7. 23/11/13 Welcome colony Shahadra North East Delhi

103

8. 30/11/2013 Kalka Ji RWA Community Centre, DDA Flats, Kalka Ji

93

9. 02/12/2013 Karol Bagh Community Centre, Dev 109

24

Nagar, Karol Bagh

10. 06/12/2013 Sector 10, Dwaraka Shiv Mandir, Sector-10, Dwaraka

106

TOTAL 1132

During the course of the project we have also established contacts with

personnel of great importance who work for the development sector in

the field of health and various social issues.

Lack of importance/clarity/ large prevalence of misconceptions and

myths upon its cure was addressed with all the targeted audiences and

this received a very positive response.

CHALLENGES

Due to late launch of the project, towards the end, interest amongst the

communities was lesser

Common feedback from Schools and RWAs was that the awareness

programme should have been done before the season of dengue

infection is likely i.e in the month of July, August and September

Due to a tab on the number of schools and RWAs, we had to leave out

some schools and RWAs that expressed interest that the campaign be

organised with them.

One of the major challenges is the misconception that people living in

dingy areas and unauthorised colonies are the ones getting infected.

This issue was discussed at all the meetings and clarified.

A more intensive behaviour change communication model is required

with the DEPRIVED sections of the city as wearing full sleeves clothes,

using repellents, etc are not cost effective or practical options for them.

The RWA events were a challenge as the resources for the RWA

activities were constrained, building rapport with RWAs was very tough

and an ongoing process, for which this period of intervention was a little

short in Delhi & Hyderabad.

25

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is important to incorporate some collaborative activities with the

state government as they are also undertaking a very extensive

campaign to prevent Dengue.

Building a sustained awareness among the people is important as

dengue being a seasonal disease, once the season gets over, people

tend to neglect upon the health implication that dengue places among

us.

Community outreach programs should have an element of modification

as per the feedback from the field.

Build a component in the project of being a watch dog to check whether

the elected nodal officers in school by the Directorate of Education and

the Municipal Corporations are doing their duties and responsibilities.

Consider a component of sensitizing the people at work place. This

should also reach out to the people in charge for the maintenance of the

office building itself.

Bridge the gap between MCD Domestic Breeding Checkers and the

community, as we have across many cases where people usually do not

let the Domestic Breeding Checkers enter their houses.

26