Dengue fever, a rapidly escalating public health crisis, casts a long shadow over millions in Asia. With climate change and urbanization fuelling its spread, the figures are stark: with Asia shouldering approximately 70 percent of the global disease burden.
In response to this urgent challenge, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC APAC) and Takeda have joined forces in a landmark collaboration: United Against Dengue.
This multi-year strategic collaboration is dedicated to advancing the World Health Organizations’s goal of achieving zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030, by championing collective action through community programs.
"Eliminating dengue in the Asia-Pacific region requires a collective effort," states Dr. Sushma Bhusal, Regional Thematic Lead, Health and Care, Asia Pacific, IFRC. "The response must go beyond the health sector alone."
A synergistic approach to a complex problem
United Against Dengue is designed to catalyze community-led action, empowering individuals and families to protect themselves. This partnership leverages the unique strengths of both organizations.
"We were drawn to partner with Takeda because of their commitment to global health and their expertise in the scientific and healthcare sector," Dr. Bhusal explains.
"This partnership allows us to combine IFRC's strong volunteer networks and exceptional community-based expertise with Takeda's scientific expertise, resources, and global network to elevate dengue awareness, advocate for enhanced disease prevention measures, and protect at-risk populations more effectively."
Dion Warren, Area Head, India and Southeast Asia, Takeda, underscores the critical nature of the threat and the importance of a synergistic approach to fighting dengue.
"Factors like climate change and urbanization are fuelling the spread of dengue, which poses a significant public health threat, potentially affecting millions across Asia," he notes.
"Joining forces with IFRC, we aim to strengthen the foundation of community resilience by advancing disease literacy, enhancing early action capabilities, and empowering local health systems.
“United Against Dengueis designed to strengthen and complement existing public and community efforts to combat dengue collectively and ensure that communities are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to dengue outbreaks. This collaboration is a call to action, underlining the urgent need for a unified, multi-sectoral action."
Three pillars for comprehensive action
The United Against Dengue collaboration is structured around three strategic pillars, ensuring a holistic approach:
The first pillar is Educate, which focuses on building community resilience and readiness through impactful disease education and early preparedness. Efforts include community awareness campaigns, volunteer training using the Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV) toolkit, and hygiene promotion through community engagement. Enhanced surveillance systems and early action protocols will also be introduced to guide community responses and improve outcomes.
A cornerstone of the Educate pillar is leveraging relatable content to drive community action. Kicking off the United Against Dengueinitiatives is the launch of a themed comic developed by popular cartoonists The Woke Salaryman.
The comic is focused on discussing the importance of collaborative efforts between communities to prevent the spread of dengue. It will be translated into different languages and will be shared through IFRC APAC channels for community education and leveraged for community engagement activities in the long run.
"Relatable educational content is absolutely essential," Dr. Bhusal emphasizes. "Dengue prevention requires a change in behaviour, and that change is far more likely to occur when people understand the risks in a way that connects with their daily lives."
Mr. Warren adds, "Leveraging their unique brand of storytelling, the series brings to light the impact of urbanization on community ties in Asia and beyond. The series not only raises awareness about dengue but also underscores the critical role of community collaboration in disease prevention efforts."
The second pillar, Advocate, is centered around ensuring the sustainability of preventative measures through policy work and stakeholder engagement. This includes working closely with policymakers, medical societies, and community organizations to support the integration of dengue prevention, management and control into national strategies.
Regional and national alignment across public health stakeholders is also prioritized to drive unified action and strengthen health system resilience for long-term impact.
The third pillar, Support, focuses on providing care and assistance to communities and individuals affected by dengue.
These efforts represent the initial focus of United Against Dengue and are not exhaustive. Additional efforts will be introduced as the initiative continues to respond to evolving community needs and opportunities for greater impact.
A unified front for a healthier future
The escalating global spread of dengue demands a robust, coordinated response. "As the global spread of dengue intensifies, it is evident that a coordinated and strategic approach is essential," says Dr. Bhusal. "By working together – as communities, across the public and private sectors, and as a region – we can pool our resources, share our expertise, and leverage our collective influence to achieve greater impact."
The United Against Dengue initiative represents more than a program; it is a commitment that complements existing public health efforts by empowering communities to combat dengue through a multi-pronged approach: disease education, early action protocols, targeted public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and support for affected individuals and communities.
Aimed to enhance dengue awareness and bolster protection efforts, the initiative will be rolled out across Asia and beyond. Additional regional and local programs will be launched to further drive collective action, enhance dengue awareness, and support dengue prevention efforts.