Collaborations implement innovative solutions to reduce dengue occurrence

2 May 2025

SUBANG JAYA: Recognising the urgent importance of the dengue outbreak as a rising public health threat driven by climate change, Taylor’s University’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab has partnered with Prudence Foundation, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad (PAMB), Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad (PruBSN), and Eastspring Investments on the B.O.L.E.H. project.

This strategic collaboration aims to implement innovative and impactful community solutions to reduce the spread of dengue in Malaysia.

Inspired by the Malay word “Boleh” (meaning “Can”), the B.O.L.E.H. project (B40 Communities Organising Local Solutions for Environmental Health) was introduced. The initiative adopts innovative strategies aligned with the World Health Organisation’s Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Ottawa Charter’s health promotion strategies.

Dr Jo Ann Andoy Galvan, Head of the B.O.L.E.H. project and member of Taylor’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab, explained, “By adopting the term ‘Boleh’, we hope to engage communities to unite in supporting and developing local solutions for their environmental health. This initiative extends beyond dengue; it also addresses other critical issues they face, promoting holistic environmental health.”

The project commenced last November in the Rumah Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Lembah Pantai community, which houses approximately 15,000 residents. This community has been a longstanding partner of the university in training future doctors through community medicine placements, paving the way for the realisation of innovative solutions. The high population density and proximity to the Klang River—an area prone to mosquito breeding—make this region particularly vulnerable to dengue outbreaks.

To date, Dr Wong Yin How from Taylor’s University’s Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab has led environmental health support by introducing innovative strategies to reduce human-mosquito contact. These include installing insect-repellent curtains at the entrances of lifts in PPR Sri Pantai and fitting mosquito nets on the first eight floors of buildings.

His team is also exploring the use of drones to identify and eliminate hard-to-access mosquito breeding sites such as drains, rooftop water tanks, tree cavities, and abandoned construction sites. The drones will spray larvicide to effectively manage mosquito populations in these challenging areas. These targeted interventions are designed to promote sustainable solutions that enhance environmental health and reduce dengue transmission risks.

“Dengue transmission is heavily influenced by community behaviour, making its eradication a challenge that depends on individual willingness to adopt healthier lifestyles. Such change requires building trust and caring within the community. The project team, many of whom are medical professionals, lead this effort with empathy, driving their commitment to create lasting impact,” stated Professor Chong Pei Pei, Director of the Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab. She added that members of the Impact Lab team—Prof. Wee Lei Hum, Dr. Sapna Shridhar Patil, Prof. Wong Eng Hwa, and Prof. Priya Madhavan—are actively supervising the project while engaging with community leaders across the four PPR areas in Lembah Pantai. These leaders play a vital role in encouraging positive behavioural change for dengue prevention within their communities.

Empowering communities also opens a unique opportunity to develop future global leaders by giving the younger generation responsibility for leading impactful programmes under the guidance of mentors.

“By involving our students in community-based projects, we inspire them to understand the importance of empathy, collaboration, and innovation in driving sustainable solutions. This is not just about solving today’s problems; it’s also about preparing them to face future global health challenges with resilience and creativity,” Dr Galvan explained.

This vision has inspired young project leaders such as Ruthraa Rajandran, Alif Azmi, Lim Chen Woon, and Ashvinderjit Kaur, who have been assigned to Sri Cempaka, Pantai Ria, Kampung Limau, and Sri Pantai respectively.

“Working within these communities has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing tangible changes in their practices gives me a profound sense of purpose. The community appreciates our presence, and they are pleased to see doctors who genuinely care about their well-being. These relationships foster trust and strengthen their commitment to change,” shared Dr Ashvin, a medical graduate and research assistant for the project during a two-month placement.

The B.O.L.E.H. project, initiated by Prudence Foundation, is part of the company’s broader resilience programme addressing climate change.

“This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration in building healthier, more resilient communities. As dengue becomes an increasingly difficult challenge, especially with climate change, community-driven, sustainable solutions are more vital than ever,” said Jeffrey Lam Choon Leong, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at PAMB.

Pic captions: Dr Galvan (pictured third from right), the project leader, engaged with PPR leaders during the initial meeting to discuss the project’s vision. The meeting included prominent representatives from four PPR communities: Salamah Jalalauddin (PPR Sri Pantai), Zolkaple bin Baba (PPR Seri Cempaka), Nizam Abd. Manan (PPR Kampung Limau), and Zakaria Othman (PPR Pantai Ria).