Malaysians turn to alternative treatments in fight against dengue
Despite the Malaysian health ministry’s assurance that the number of dengue cases across the country is slowly declining, some Malaysians feel the figures are still too high for comfort and are turning to traditional remedies.
A man walks past a banner to promote the fight against dengue in Ampang, in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s health ministry says the number of dengue cases across the nation is slowly declining.
The mosquito-borne tropical disease has infected more than 93,000 people across Malaysia between January and December 7, killing at least 190 people. But the figures are still too high for comfort and the government’s implementing immediate measures to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds.
In Selangor, Malaysia’s most industrialised state, the number of dengue victims this past year has exceeded 48,000 – more than double the number of cases in the same period last year.
“Selangor has a high density of residents compared to other states,” said Selangor Chief Minister Azmin Ali. “The second challenge is that of mobilising the community and also cleanliness of the environment and housing areas.”
With no proven cure, dengue, also known as breakbone fever, is often treated by managing symptoms. But the Malaysian government is conducting clinical tests on what it hopes will be the world’s first dengue vaccine, which is expected to hit markets by mid-2015.
In the meantime, Malaysians have taken to consuming all sorts of traditional remedies to help cure dengue fever. One such remedy involves the juice of papaya leaves. “It has an antiviral capacity to improve the metabolism and it improves the liver function and that’s how the liver function improves. The metabolism improves so the platelet level improves, that’s how it happens,” explained Vaidya C D Siby, chief Ayurvedic physician at the Ayur Centre.
Aside from papaya leaves, other popular concoctions include double-boiled frog meat with bitter gourd. There is also the more palatable coconut water.
Still, alternative medicine practitioners say any treatments should be complementary to mainstream medical care. “You should have your physician’s guidance all the time, whenever you suffer from any diseases,” said Vaidya.
But prevention is still the Malaysian government’s target and it remains hopeful that with time and targeted action, the numbers of dengue cases will begin to significantly fall in the months to come.
